Guildford Borough Council
Planning Officer
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Planning Officer
Planning Officer – Guildford Borough Council
Guildford Borough is a regional centre for leisure, business, education, retail and culture, offering a thriving location with historic charm, excellent transport links and easy access to the Surrey Hills National Landscape. It is widely recognised as one of the best places to live in the UK.
About the Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Planning Officer to join our Planning Development Management Service. The role involves managing a diverse range of planning projects, balancing constraints such as Green Belt policies, flooding risks, National Landscape protections, and significant Listed Buildings/Conservation Areas.
Why Join Us?
Guildford Borough Council is committed to preserving its heritage and sense of place while delivering sustainable development, including high-quality homes and employment opportunities. As part of this team, you will work on a variety of projects, from householder applications and minor developments to assisting with major development proposals alongside Principal Planning Officers. You’ll play a key role in supporting council objectives to maintain Guildford as an attractive, vibrant place to live and work.
What’s in it for you?
Guildford Borough Council values its employees and offers a competitive package and excellent working environment, including:
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- Competitive salary
- Flexible working arrangements
- Essential car user allowance & currently free staff parking
- Hybrid working options
- Payment of one professional membership per annum (e.g., RTPI)
- Mileage allowance & development opportunities
- Health and wellbeing initiatives
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounts on high street shops and supermarkets
For full details on staff benefits and pension schemes, see [Staff benefits and pension | Guildford Borough Council]( خطط المعاشات ಪೆನ್ಶನ್‚ಾದ ಮತ್ತು ಲಾಭಗಳು ievbacks和退休计划).
Key Responsibilities
In this role, you will be responsible for:
- Managing your own caseload of planning applications, pre-application consultations, and appeals, ensuring high-quality decisions while meeting strict government and local deadlines.
- Presenting complex applications before the Planning Committee and holding consultations with interested parties, including developers and external stakeholders.
- Providing planning advice to internal colleagues and external clients.
- Operating independently while also collaborating effectively within a high-performing team.
- Ensuring all deadlines (Commissioners, government, and council) are met.
Requirements & Qualifications
To thrive in this role, you will demonstrate:
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the confidence to interact professionally with diverse stakeholders.
- Strong judgement and reasoning abilities, with the capacity to justify decisions rigorously.
- An open, positive attitude with the flexibility to adapt to system changes and workload demands.
- Self-motivation and initiative, combined with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong organisational abilities, ensuring meticulous attention to detail.
- Practical problem-solving skills, particularly in balancing competing constraints (e.g., environmental, heritage, and economic factors).
- Basic level of numeracy and scheduling skills to comply with legal processes.
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Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Degree in planning, law, or a relevant subject (desirable; working toward one may also be considered).
- RTPI membership (desirable) or eligibility to apply for membership.
- Full UK driving licence (mandatory for essential car use).
Next Steps:
No formal interview date has yet been confirmed.
Seek alternative opportunities within four weeks if you do not hear from us post-application.
For more details, feel free to contact our Area Team Leaders: Email: Justin Williams or John Busher for an informal chat about the role.
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