Senior Planning Officer

Reading is a large vibrant town subject to considerable development growth which brings with it a large amount of very varied Planning applications for the Council to manage.  This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Town Planner to join our Planning Applications Team dealing with more complicated minor applications and pre-application work as well as smaller scale major planning applications. 

 

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

 

About the role:

Some applications will need approval by Planning Applications Committee and therefore preparing committee reports and attendance at committee will be an important part of the role.

Other work includes preparing statements for appeals and presenting the Council’s case at Informal Hearings. The Council is placing an increased emphasis on enforcement and the Senior role will play an important part in providing expediency responses for complex enforcement cases.

About you:

Experience required for this role:

• You will have a recognised degree or equivalent qualification in Planning.
• You will be a member of, or eligible to be a member of, the RTPI.
• You will have significant experience of working as a Planning Officer in local government or planning consultancy.
• You will have experience of and able to show a track record of managing a high workload while maintaining performance standards.
• You will be able to provide examples of how you have led negotiations on planning applications with a minimum of supervision.
• You will have experience of writing and presenting reports for complex Planning proposals to Planning Committee.
• You will be comfortable promoting an effective corporate role for the Planning Service at meetings, with Councillors and also outside organisations.
• You will have good interpersonal skills and a commitment to excellent customer service; working as a team with officers, consultants, elected members and members of the public.

 

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability, including mentoring and supporting colleagues in their work. You will also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

 

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

 

Our offer:

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

 

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading with flexible options for working at home, subject to the needs of the service.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

 

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Steve Vigar - Planning Applications Team Leader - Stephen.Vigar@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 15^th June 2025

Interview Date: TBC

Interview format:      
Question & answer panel interview based on Job Description (3 panel members).
There will be a written test.

The interview will last approximately 45 mins with the written test a further 30 mins.

 

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.