Sittingbourne (Hybrid)
Permanent, Full time
No DBS check required
Grade 8 £39,993 to £44,988 plus £5,000 market supplement
34 Hours Per Week
About the Role
Swale Borough Council have an exciting opportunity for qualified and experienced planning professionals to take on leadership roles within a forward-thinking and community-focused planning service.
In the role of Principal Planning Officer, you will be crucial in shaping sustainable development across the Borough. You will take the lead on complex planning applications, pre-application enquiries, and development negotiations, including Section 106 agreements and Planning Performance Agreements.
Your duties will include:
- Working closely with communities, developers, and elected members
- Ensuring high-quality and well-planned developments that support the Borough’s future growth
- Preparing and presenting reports at committee meetings
- Representing the Council’s position in appeals, hearings and inquiries
- Mentoring junior officers and supporting the next generation of planners to grow
This is your opportunity to take the next step in your career with a local authority that values professional development, work-life balance, and community impact.
This is a full time role working 34 hours per week on a permanent contract.
About Swale Borough Council
Swale Borough Council is a progressive and ambitious Local Authority, located less than an hour from Central London in an attractive and diverse part of Kent involving urban, rural, and coastal areas. We believe that staff are our most valuable asset and we’re committed to attracting and retaining the very best. In recent times we have adapted and evolved to meet the current world by introducing a highly flexible hybrid working policy, along with a 34-hour week, recognising that staff wellbeing and work life balance is high on our agenda.
About You
To be considered as a Principal Planning Officer, you must hold a Level 6 or 7 Planning Qualification and be a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) or the Planning and Development Division of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or have clear plans to become chartered in the short term.
You will have substantial experience in handling complex planning applications, preparing evidence for appeals, public hearings, inquiries or court proceedings and negotiating Section 106 agreements.
With a proven record of offering sound professional advice, you will be comfortable building productive relationships with ward members, parish councils, and applicants, and delivering high-quality planning services within a local authority setting.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are key to this role, as you will be expected to adapt your approach to different audiences.
Our Offer
A range of benefits including:
• 34 hour full time working week with the offices closing at 1:30pm on Friday
• Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities
• Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
• Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New year.
• Free parking
• Range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people’s home/work life balance including compressed hours, 9-day fortnight, part time.
• Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
• Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
• Annual flu vaccine
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
• Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
• A professional fee payment, if required for the role
Selection Process:
Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.
If you would like to discuss this position, please contact Paul Gregory on 01795 417113 or Andy Gambrill on 01795 417120.
To apply for the position please click on the apply link above and complete the online application form or by phone on 01622 602555.
Closing Date: 9th March 2025
Interview Date: TBC