Principal Planning Officer

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Our preferred method is online application however if you do require a hard copy application pack please contact Human Resources, Guildford Borough Council, Millmead, Guildford GU2 4BB. Telephone (01483) 444111 (24-hr). Alternatively e-mail sally.nielsen@guildford.gov.uk quoting the relevant post number. Please note that we do not accept CVs, please ensure that you complete the application form fully.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and post-holders to share this commitment. To fulfil this commitment we have robust systems in place for the safe recruitment of staff and volunteers.

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Guildford Borough is a regional centre for leisure, business, education, retail and culture. Guildford is a thriving market town that has maintained much of its historic character and is a principal shopping destination with a vibrant night-time economy. The town’s location provides excellent transport links as well as providing the balance of being surrounded by beautiful countryside, including the Surrey Hills National Landscape. All of these factors contribute to a quality of life that makes it one of the best places to live in the UK.

We want to appoint enthusiastic and committed officers to join our skilled Planning Development Management Service which deals with a wide range of planning projects with a number of competing constraints including Green Belt, flooding, National Landscape and a significant number of listed buildings and conservation areas.

It is an excellent time to join Guildford, it is a busy and progressive Authority where there is a keen focus on preserving the Borough’s heritage and landscape whilst ensuring that we provides high quality homes and access to employment.

You will deal with a range of major planning applications, as well assisting the two Team Leaders with signing off delegated reports and some mentoring of junior colleagues.

What’s in it for you?

We are a diverse organisation, delivering a wide range of services and employing people with a broad range of skills. We want to attract the best staff, so we offer excellent benefits, including: a competitive salary; flexible working arrangements (including two flexi days per month); an essential car user allowance; private medical insurance, currently free staff parking, hybrid working, membership to Local Government Pension Scheme, payment of one professional membership per annum, mileage allowance and training and development opportunities where required.

We also provide health and wellbeing initiatives, an employee assistance programme and staff discounts off a range of well-known high street shops and supermarkets.

See below for more information.

Staff benefits and pension - Guildford Borough Council

In this role you would:

• Deal with a range of complex major and minor planning applications, many of which will have associated Planning Performance Agreements.
• Assist the Team Leaders in signing off delegated decisions.
• Mentoring of planning officers and assistant planning officers.
• Present applications to Planning Committee and support colleagues with this and other internal and external meetings.
• Provide strong leadership and keeping staff motivated, providing regular reviews and identifying their career paths.
• Support and provide planning advice to other colleagues within the Council and internal and external stakeholders, including the MP, Ward Councillors and other town and parish councils.
• Working with the team leaders and the Joint Assistant Director for Planning on service improvement.
• Be the Council's expert witness for Hearings and Public Inquiries.

To succeed in this role, you will be able to demonstrate:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence in dealing with people;
• Proven ability to give sound advice and guidance;
• Have an open minded and positive approach;
• Excellent ability to reason and process information;
• The ability to work independently and as part of a high performing team;
• Excellent organisational skills;
• The ability to adapt to change and use initiative;
• The ability to devise, learn and adapt to new systems and processes; and
• Be a good team player

Qualifications

Degree in a relevant subject

RTPI membership

Driving Licence

Interviews likely to take place early December 2025

If you do not hear from us within two weeks from the closing date you have not been successful on this occasion.

If you would like an informal opportunity to learn more about the role, please email Claire Upton-Brown, Joint Assistant Director of Planning at claire.upton-brown@guildford.gov.uk or call 07899 990 749 or email melanie.bourne@guildford.gov.uk (PA to Claire Upton-Brown).