Working hours: 37.5 hours per week (banking 30 minutes per week to be used towards the shut down between Christmas and the New Year)

The role

There has never been a more exciting time to join Harlow Council as we deliver our ambitious 'Building Harlow's Future' plan that will see a once-in-a-generation programme to transform our council, rebuild our town and secure our future. As part of these missions, we are delivering regeneration across our town centre along with key growth and development across the rest of the district.

Harlow is at the centre of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, a nationally significant programme of sustainable and inclusive growth that will deliver over 19,000 new homes, a 50% increase in employment opportunities, a new hospital and a comprehensive Sustainable Transport Corridor network over the next decade and beyond. Of the four garden town communities that make up the Garden Town, the strategic housing site at East of Harlow will be coming forward within Harlow District for 2,600 new homes and associated infrastructure.

With a proud New Town heritage and as the UK’s only designated Sculpture Town, Harlow is home to 10 conservation areas, listed buildings and extensive green spaces that require careful stewardship and protection.

We are looking to appoint an motivated and committed Planning Officer to join our Development Management team at a time of significant regeneration and growth across Harlow.

You will join a friendly and collaborative team committed to supporting professional development and helping colleagues build successful planning careers. We believe the best planning outcomes are achieved through collaboration. Our office-based approach provides regular opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues, discuss challenging cases, share knowledge and develop the practical skills needed to build a successful planning career.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career planner or someone looking to further develop their experience within a supportive and ambitious local authority. You will manage a varied caseload of planning applications ranging from householder development and changes of use through to commercial, retail and leisure proposals, while also gaining valuable experience in planning enforcement, planning appeals, committee work and wider development management practice.

The role provides exposure to the full development management process, including site visits, stakeholder engagement, analysing planning issues, preparing committee reports and working with councillors, residents, developers and professional agents. You will also work alongside our Principal Enforcement Officer investigating breaches of planning control and helping to secure compliance where necessary.

Working within one of the country's most significant growth areas, you will play a direct role in Building Harlow's Future while helping to protect the town's unique New Town heritage and environmental assets.

Whether you are a recent planning graduate looking to begin your career or have already gained planning experience in either the public or private sector, we would welcome your application.

The experience you will bring

You will be motivated about making a positive difference for the residents of Harlow with a relevant degree in town planning or a related field and eligibility for membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute. You will have a basic understanding of development management procedures and may have already gained some experience working in either the public or private practice.

You will be able to organise your workload effectively, demonstrate good analytical skills and prepare clear written reports.

You will have a sound understanding of planning legislation, policy and development management procedures.

You will be able to communicate effectively with colleagues, councillors, applicants and members of the public while managing competing priorities and deadlines.

What we offer

We want to attract and retain the best staff, so we offer an excellent range of benefits, including:

Competitive salary with market supplement
31 days annual leave plus public holidays
Christmas office shutdown period using banked minutes
Local Government Pension Scheme membership
Payment of one professional membership (RTPI etc) each year
Mileage allowance for business use
Training and development opportunities

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Scott Laban, Development Manager, Planning, on 01279 446244

Harlow Council is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

We offer flexibility with purpose through our Dynamic Working approach. Office-based working is the norm, with full-time employees attending the workplace at least four days a week.

We also support a range of flexible arrangements to help balance work and personal life and provide health and wellbeing initiatives and an employee assistance programme.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled candidates who meet the Essential Criteria on the Employee Profile.

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Scott Laban, Development Manager, Planning.