Trainee/Planning Officer

Crawley Borough Council

Exchange Rd, Crawley, null RH10 0ZZ, UK

Hybrid

Expires: Expiring in less than 4 weeks

Planning

Full time

£32,463 - £42,085 per year

Reference: ES59
Division: Economy and Planning
Salary: £32,463.00 - £42,085.00 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Posted on: 01 April 2026
Interview date:11 May 2026
Extra payment(s): Not applicable

Positions: 1
Category: Planning
Grade: F - H
Working hours: 37 per week
Closing date: 26 April 2026
Location: Town Hall, Crawley
Location type: Hybrid

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About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to advance your planning career in a career graded post in an award- winning planning team. Crawley Borough Council’s planning teams won Local Planning Authority of the Year for the South East region in 2025, reflecting the commitment and positive achievements of the planning staff.

The role gives you the chance to work in an interesting planning role in one of the UK’s most successful New Towns. Crawley has a historic core alongside the post-war town centre, surrounded by carefully planned residential neighbourhoods. Crawley is the economic hub of West Sussex, with a large employment area at Manor Royal. Gatwick Airport, with approval to expand, is also within the administrative boundary and plays a major economic role. Crawley has excellent rail and road links to London, Brighton and Hove, Horsham and the south coast.

Our Strategic Planning team has a recently adopted Local Plan. They are progressing supplementary guidance, a town centre masterplan and regeneration programme, design codes and infrastructure planning to ensure the Plan is successfully implemented in order to address the challenges facing the Borough in delivering housing, a strategic employment site and other services to meet local needs to 2040. The Strategic Planning team is small and adaptable, with all officers taking ownership of key areas of work but also supporting one another. The Strategic Planning trainee/planning officer will have a varied workload and the opportunity to develop specific areas of expertise, as well as developing an awareness of all areas of strategic planning.

You will be expected to have a genuine interest in strategic planning, and to be flexible and hardworking. The Strategic Planning role is suitable for applicants with planning knowledge and/or experience wanting to undertake an undergraduate course in planning, or for a suitable graduate with a related degree interested in undertaking a planning masters qualification whilst gaining work experience, or an enthusiastic recently qualified planner in the early part of their planning career.

Crawley is a great place to work, with a thriving business district and excellent transport connections including nearby Gatwick Airport. We are based in our modern Town Hall which opened in 2023 and is located a short walk from the town centre and railway station.

Additional information

Occasional support at evening meetings required.

Employee benefits

We offer a generous employee benefits package, with a range of discounts, benefits and wellbeing incentives to suit everyone.

At Crawley Borough Council, you will have access to a structured programme of learning from day one, designed to help you succeed in your role and grow your career.

Our way of working

Our shared values and behaviours reflect the special nature of our council. We encourage all colleagues to put them into practice, whatever job they do. Take a look to see if we are the perfect match.

Safer recruitment

Crawley Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.

How to apply

Click the Apply button to complete your application online. Please ensure that the reference details you supply are for your current or most recent employer and that any gaps in employment are covered on your application form. Please note that CVs will not be accepted without a fully completed application form.

For an informal conversation or further information regarding the roles, contact: For Strategic Planning: Email elizabeth.brigden@crawley.gov.uk, Planning Policy Manager or call on 01293 438624.