Buckinghamshire Council
Planning Officer
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Planning Officer
Planning Officer
As a Planning Officer at Buckinghamshire Council, you’ll not only be offered a competitive benefits package, you’ll also get to be part of a team working on a diverse range of projects, helping to shape the future of Buckinghamshire for generations to come.
Career development is central to Buckinghamshire Council. We actively enable colleagues to grow rapidly with us. The executive team fosters talent, empowering you to progress quickly within your specialism. Join a dedicated Development Management Team and actively contribute to our Planning and Environment Business Plan, driving our vision as a unitary authority forward.
About Us
Buckinghamshire Council is a newly integrated organisation, bringing together the combined strengths and expertise of the previous five local authorities. Our focus is unwavering: serving residents better and providing stronger representation—locally and nationally.
Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate collaborates with partners to help shape Buckinghamshire’s future. We deliver key services in:
- Planning
- Economic growth
- Regeneration
- Strategic infrastructure
- Transport
- Property management
Our priorities include:
- Developing Buckinghamshire’s economic narrative
- Creating job opportunities
- Delivering the right infrastructure to support businesses and residents
- Providing pro-active, responsive planning services while optimising the Council’s land and property assets to support community services and generate revenue for essential public services.
About The Role
As a Planning Officer, you’ll work within a collaborative team managing a varied caseload of planning applications. You’ll be responsible for providing high-quality service throughout the entire planning process—from pre-application stages through to planning appeals—as well as ensuring compliance with local and national planning policies.
This role will be based in Area Team 4 (serving the southern part of Buckinghamshire), allowing you to contribute to projects in both urban and rural environments. Full driving license and vehicle access are mandatory because of the geographically diverse responsibilities.
Faye, a Senior Planning Officer, shares her experience:
"I’ve worked for Buckinghamshire Council for over five years—starting as a Graduate Planner and progressing to Planning Officer then Senior Planning Officer within six months. The team is incredibly supportive, helping me to broaden my skills through a wide range of cases. Workload variety keeps the job engaging: my role covers both urban and rural planning. I’ve even worked in Majors Planning, gaining valuable experience testing cases at venues like Silverstone and with the National Trust."
If you’re motivated to make an impact, thrive in a forward-thinking council environment, and appreciate hands-on career development support, this is your chance to join our plans. By taking proactive roles such as this, you’ll directly influence Buckinghamshire’s sustainable development.
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Flexible Working - Any-Desk:
In this ‘any-desk’ role, you’ll access council digital resources either from home or office depending on team and role needs. You’ll be expected to visit the office a few times a week as required.
About You
Essential requirements for this Planning Officer role include:
- Experience within development management, planning, or environmental sectors
- Exceptional communication skills, particularly dealing with complex customer queries
- Specialist service experience or transferable experience in related areas
- Proven ability to manage a demanding workload.
- Unable to work alone, but enjoys building relationships with a people-focused mindset, with resident welfare as the priority.
If the above criteria align with your career, we encourage you to apply.
For more information, consult the attached Job Summary.
Other Information
Contact:
For a detailed discussion about this Planning Officer role, contact:
Ben Robinson Development Management Area Team Leader (Team 4)
- Phone: 01494 732042
- Email: [email protected]
Working Arrangements:
Flexible working is actively encouraged here at Buckinghamshire Council, helping employees find a healthy work-life balance. While this role is part-time and flexible, willing candidates are welcome to explore this arrangement.
- Base Location: This position is based in the High Wycombe office, with the option to work from the Aylesbury office remoately on rotation.
Positions Available: 2
Closing Date: 22nd July 2026
Interview Process:
- Date: To be confirmed (TBC)
- Type: In-person interviews
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act:
As per the 1974 Rehabilitation Act, if you hold any unspent cautions or convictions, you are required to declare them.
- More Info: For clarification on caution and conviction duration prior to being considered ‘spent’, please see our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Nacro).
AI Navigation:
While we understand candidates may rely on AI tools for assistance, any applications must reflect your true experience, skills, and achievements. Ensure your submission remains authentic and aligned with personal capabilities, assessed during the selection process.
Candidates are advised to submit applications as soon as possible given that we may close this vacancy once sufficient applications have been received.
Our Values & Culture
Selected by our employees, our core values are rooted in:
✔ Proud - Committed to delivering our best to those we serve.
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✔ Ambitious - Driven to excel and achieve beyond current limitations.
✔ Collaborative - united in our commitment to work effectively.
✔ Trustworthy - holding honesty and integrity at the heart of everything we do.
By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you’ll experience:
✅ Fair, inclusive culture ✅ Opportunity to make a tangible difference within your community ✅ Well-being support including an Employee Assistance Programme, trained Mental Health First Aiders, and mindfulness workshops ✅ A strong Employee Representative Group voice ensuring consistent communication channels ✅ Career progression and development opportunities – financial support and flexibility to explore new challenges ✅ Fun team activities including systems for charity fundraising and social events
Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives:
At Buckinghamshire Council, our diversity is a source of strength. By continuing to invest in an accessible, inclusive, and welcoming work environment, we ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve.
We offer:
- A unified support network, allled under our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group
- Promotion as a Disability Confident employer
- Flexible working arrangements, fostering productivity and work-life balance.
Our mission is to encourage and champion equality and fair representation for all in light of our diverse communities.
About The Business Unit
The Planning, Growth & Sustainability function works with various partners to influence Buckinghamshire’s trajectory.
Our core focus:
📈 Economic development through work on business growth 🏗️ Regeneration and high-profile projects (e.g. infrastructure development, transport) 🏠 Property asset optimisation
Planning also delivers community-focused results, including housing and resources needed to maintain and enhance vital public services.
Join our team during an exciting period, and assist us:
- Shaping Buckinghamshire’s economic future
- Delivering high-profile development projects
- Contributing to significant infrastructure projects in the UK
Our Recognition & Reward Programmes
Your talent and diligence should be rewarded, and we ensure it is.
💼 Flexible, agile working actively promoted 💰 Auto-enrolment into generous pension schemes 🍽️ Discounts on local cafes, restaurants, and shops 💻 Costco membership offer 🏋️♀️ Gym memberships at preferential rates 🚇 Transport discounts with Arriva and more
Enjoy a rich benefits programme tailored towards supporting your holistic well-being and career ambition.
🔗 More details available at our buckinghamshire.gov.uk careers portal.
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