More about the role:

We are seeking to appoint a Senior Planning Officer within our Strategic Plan Partnerships Team.

This is an exciting time for Central Bedfordshire. As one of the largest Unitary Authorities in the country, our unique geographical location means we are at the focus of national conversations around growth. The government has identified the Oxford to Cambridge Arc as a priority area for development and economic investment, with ambitions to deliver up to one million homes by 2050. Significant investment in infrastructure, with schemes such as East-West Rail, has the potential to act as a catalyst for future growth in Central Bedfordshire.

Working with the Strategic Partnerships team, you will be responsible for helping to deliver the Council's statutory and non-statutory functions including the creation of evidence-based policies and guidance.  You will be involved in strategic planning projects from conception to conclusion including supporting the commissioning and preparation of evidence for the Council to support the local and government Growth Agenda as well as providing support into the Local Plan and its Examination.

Your Role

As a Senior Planning Officer, you will work closely with the Principal Officer and help support the Strategic Plan Partnerships Manager.

A key element of your role will be liaising with neighbouring authorities and statutory bodies to inform the development of future growth across Central Bedfordshire, the wider growth corridor, SEMLEP, national strategies and policies, the Regeneration and Business Strategy and other Council Strategies and Delivery Plans. Your ability to communicate effectively, work under pressure, prioritise and manage workloads to meet identified deadlines all to a high standard, is therefore essential.

You will play a big part in helping to achieve the Council’s priorities and objectives. With businesses and communities depending on your skills, you will find your greatness using your professional expertise in a strategic as well as local environment.

You’ll work across the full range of Planning disciplines and with everyone from Councillors to developers looking to you for specialist support and guidance, it’s vital that you understand and uphold best practice.

You will ideally have a degree (or equivalent qualification or experience) in Town Planning, be a member of the Royal Town Planning institute and have planning experience working in a forward planning environment within a local authority.

With good political and commercial awareness, and strong communication skills, you will have a gift for helping to influence others and working in partnership and be committed to evidence-based decision making.

Your Benefits

Benefits include membership of the competitive Local Government Pension Scheme from day one, agile working (plus laptop and smartphone), Flexitime scheme and many other staff discounts. A full overview of benefits on offer is included in the Recruitment Pack.

There are excellent opportunities for career progression within Central Bedfordshire Council. We are a recognised RTPI Learning Partner, demonstrating our commitment to the training and development of our staff. 

Join us, and take advantage of a generous rewards package, agile working and the chance of continuous professional development. Find your greatness playing your part in our area’s growth.