Planning Team - Multiple opportunities available Ref: 55-25

Job Advert

Join our Planning team - Multiple Opportunities available

Salary:

Planning Graduates (Grade 9, £26,050-£32,278 per annum)
Planning Officers (Grade 8, £32,278-£38,519 per annum)
Senior Planning Officers (Grade 7, £38,519-£44,760 per annum)
Principal Planning Officers (Grade 5, £51,777-£58,789 per annum)

Hours: Full time, 37 per week
Basis: Permanent
Place of Work: Dereham

Make a real difference, every day

Are you passionate about shaping places and making a real difference to communities? We are looking for talented and motivated individuals to join our successful and forward-thinking Planning Team at Breckland Council.

We have a variety of opportunities available across different levels within the service. Whether you are at the start of your planning career, looking to take the next step, or bringing extensive professional experience, we are keen to hear from you.

About the Roles:

We are recruiting across a range of Planning positions, which may include:

Planning Graduates (Grade 9)
Planning Officers (Grade 8)
Senior Planning Officers (Grade 7)
Principal Planning Officers (Grade 5)

We welcome applications from candidates with diverse skills and experience or looking to start a career in development management.

You will:

Have relevant planning qualifications and/or experience appropriate to the level of role applied for
At Senior and Principal level, demonstrate sound knowledge of the planning system and current legislation
Possess strong communication and organisational skills
Be customer focused and committed to delivering high-quality outcomes for our communities
Thrive in a collaborative and supportive team environment

For Principal roles, you will also bring leadership experience, sound professional judgement and the ability to manage complex caseloads or projects

About you:

[Graduates, Planning and Senior Planning Officers]

Collaborative

I look for ways to work in partnership and listen supportively to the ideas of others, building on their ideas, while sharing my views and knowledge.
I recognise the skills, talent and experience of others and reach out to them for their contribution and input.
I recognise, appreciate and praise others for their contribution.

Ambitious

I always ask myself 'How could we do this better?', taking ownership of change and helping others to understand, adapt, implement, and embed it.
I have an open mindset, take risks and explore new ways of doing things.
My approach to work is filled with positivity and optimism.
I am a proud ambassador, taking pride and responsibility for the work we do and encouraging others to do the same.

Results-driven

I review my own performance and ask for feedback to learn and improve.
I make sure I am clear on what I need to achieve, keeping a focus on results and solutions.
I am driven, showing courage and resilience even when things don't go to plan.
I keep to my promises and challenge myself and others to deliver high-quality services.

Empowering

I show energy and drive to explore new opportunities and challenge the status quo - acting on opportunities to generate income or reduce costs, embracing new technology and promoting digitalisation.
I ask for help and support when needed, and take responsibility if things don't go well, learning from it for my own and for the organisation's development.
I appropriately challenge unacceptable behaviour.

Supportive

I treat others as I would want to be treated myself, ensuring that I am welcoming, friendly and approachable.
I care for my colleagues, take an interest in them, and show support for their personal identities and what's important to them.
I understand and take care of my own wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of those around me.
I give time to colleagues who need help or support.

[Principal Planning Officers]

Collaborative

I look for opportunities to coach, support and mentor people both inside and outside of my own team (s) or discipline.
I encourage individuals and teams to work, learn and deliver together.
I make sure people feel trusted, valued, informed and supported

Ambitious

I act as a role model, leading by example: motivating, influencing and inspiring others.
I am motivational and drive positivity.
I take an optimistic approach: engaging others and giving individuals the space and freedom to be creative.
I actively encourage innovation. If things go wrong, I see that as an opportunity to learn and develop.

Results -driven

I recognise good performance and take the time to thank, praise and celebrate achievements.
I delegate work effectively and thoughtfully, giving everyone a chance to shine.
My team are clear on what they need to achieve.
I look for opportunities to develop people and nurture future talent.

Empowering

I make sure individuals have control and a sense of purpose about their work. Work should make people feel good.
I stamp out any instances of blame - individuals are accountable, but we do not look for a person to blame.
I empower everyone to work in the most effective way, trusting in their ability to deliver, and encourage individuals to have the confidence to challenge in a safe space.

Supportive

I help create an environment where individuals feel comfortable to be themselves and where they feel heard, included and valued.
I promote and regularly check on individual's mental health and wellbeing.
When individuals are finding things hard, I give them chance to talk and give them the help and support they need.

OK, I'm interested...but is it really the job for me?

As per the role you applied for, you will:

Work as part of a team of development management specialists helping deliver an effective and efficient planning service through the determination of a varied caseload of planning applications, relevant to the role applied for;
You will give relevant pre-application advice for development, relevant to the role applied for;
You will attend Planning Committee meetings and present to members of planning committee the applications you deal with;
You will defend the Council at Appeal - depending on the role, undertaking written representations, Hearings or Planning Inquiries
You will prepare clear, concise and well written reports for a variety of application types (subject to role);
You will communicate professionally with customers in writing, verbally and in person;
You will provide excellent customer service;
Keep up to date with current legislation;
Principal Planning Officers will provide support to junior members of staff, sign off planning applications and deputise for managers as required, and have a thorough understanding and knowledge of current legislation, as well as a Masters or Diploma in Town and Country Planning or equivalent and Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute and up to date CPD or eligibility and willingness to join.
Senior Planning Officers will be a mentor and provide guidance and support to other members of the planning team and have a degree qualification in Town and Country Planning or working towards a formal qualification or demonstrable experience of working as a Senior Planning Officer with 2-5 years' experience in development management;
Planning Officers will have a degree qualification in Town and Country Planning or working towards a formal qualification or demonstrable experience of working as a Planning Officer;
Graduate Planning Officers will have a degree qualification in Town and Country Planning or working towards a formal qualification;

Closing date: Noon, 9 April 2026

Important information

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the roles and required qualities - can be found on 'Apply' page of advert.

Working Here

What's it like to work for us?

We are passionate about our people and pride ourselves on being a great place to work, we genuinely care and know that a happy workforce is a productive and motivated one! If you're still not sure, here are some stats from our 2024 staff survey to convince you..

94% said they feel trusted and empowered
90% of staff recommend Breckland as a great place to work
89% said they have had opportunities to learn and grow in the last 12 months
94% think Breckland provide positive action on health and wellbeing
91% said they felt supported by their manager

If you STILL need convincing, here's what some of our staff say...

"Breckland is a fantastic employer, lots of opportunities and support"
"Having only just started, it is a great place to work, everyone says hello, is smiley and chatty. I like the groups that are on, like carers shed and neurodiversity"
"We are encouraged to take regular breaks and there are mental health first aiders and a wide range of good promotional aspects of healthy living and wellbeing."
"In times of need the council offers excellent support."
"BDC really does seem to care about the wellbeing and happiness of their staff."

At Breckland Council we have embraced the Government's agenda to modernise local government. Our approach is to lead change rather than follow it, and to add the best value we can to our communities. We achieve this by developing our employees to their full potential, providing them with the relevant knowledge, equipment, and authority to carry out their duties.

We are a dynamic and innovative organisation that is always testing and learning as we seek to continually improve. We have never stood still in response to the emergence of new opportunities, changing customer demands, and ongoing funding challenges. We have exciting plans for how to deliver the best possible services to our residents and businesses.

Breckland as a district is a special place nestled in the heart of rural Norfolk, spanning over 500 square miles of beautiful countryside and forest, with five Market Towns and over 140,000 residents. We care, we listen, and we support people and businesses within our district. We have big ideas and we are innovative in our approach, coming up with ways to meet the needs of the local communities that we serve. Through our actions, we want to make things better.

But we know that we can't do it alone. We are a collaborative organisation and we work together with others to make a greater impact. We are also an organisation where our employees can grow and develop and are empowered to achieve and succeed. We are proud of our area, and by driving investment and enabling opportunities, we can maximise its full potential. We want to inspire aspiration to live, work, visit, or do business here: we want our district to be one of choice.

We will support and enable growth and change in our thriving, welcoming places where people and businesses choose to be, knowing their ambitions can be not just fulfilled but exceeded. By listening to people, by understanding what they need and by working together, we can shape what we have to offer. By doing so, we can benefit those who are already here and those who choose to come to live, work, visit, or do business.

We offer excellent conditions of service, including:

A local government pension scheme (14 per cent employer contribution).
Attractive holiday package (25 days increasing after three years' continuous Local Authority service by one day per year up to the maximum of 28 days, plus bank holidays)
Free car parking.
Remote-enabled working arrangements.
A newly refurbished office. See what it is like working here by watching this short film:

Our commitment to talent development, on the job learning and upskilling, training and professional memberships, will keep your knowledge and skills up to date.

Apply

If you would like an informal chat regarding this role please contact Rebecca Collins (Head of Development Management) by emailing:

Rebecca.collins@breckland.gov.uk

Closing date: Noon, 9 April 2026

Don't miss your chance - apply today and take the next step in your career.

When applying - please be clear which role you are interested in.

Apply Online

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to being an Equal Opportunities employer, recognising the benefits of sustaining a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We welcome applications from anyone who feels they meet the requirements of our vacancies. These are listed as essential requirements on the person specification.