Assistant Planning Officer, Wealden District Council.
Salary £31,802.64 pro rata
Hours 18 per week
Contractual Basis: Permanent
Car Allowance: Essential
Closing date: 11th February 2026
Job Summary
Do you have an interest in helping new development come forward in a sustainable way? Do you want to build a career in a busy and proactive planning team? Then this role is for you.
Who are we looking for?
Wealden District Council is committed to delivering sustainable development and providing our communities with a 5 star planning service.
This is an opportunity for someone who has some planning experience and wants to further their career or for someone who is adept at dealing with householder, minor and other application types but wants to do that in a district with a varied history and landscape.
You will be part of a team that helps to process around 3000 applications, applying planning law and policy and delivering positive outcomes for our communities and businesses.
What will the role involve?
- Preparing planning reports on development proposals
- Providing advice and conducting negotiations with applicants to achieve the best possible outcomes and deliver 5-star customer service.
- Liaising with various stakeholders, including residents, officers from other service sections, elected members, and external bodies to ensure material consideration are taken into account and that decision making is open and transparent
- Engaging in pre-application discussions, taking opportunities to front load planning considerations and make the formal planning application process run smoothly.
What skills, knowledge and abilities do you require for the role?
- Experience in planning and the application of expert knowledge within a planning policy or development management context.
- Customer service skills, being particularly adept at speaking with those who have conflicting demands and priorities.
- Knowledge of relevant law, policy and guidance related to planning and related matters.
- Communication and negotiation skills being able to discuss proposals in a positive, constructive, and professional manner to deliver positive planning outcomes.
- A planning or relevant degree qualification or, as an alternative, considerable experience in planning matters.
Apply to: wealdendc.ciphr-irecruit.com/Applicants/vacancy
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