Jobs

Durham County Council is looking for an experienced and knowledgeable Senior Planning Officer to join our vibrant Development Management team. Our team is diverse, handling a broad spectrum of planning-related matters. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality, sustainable development across the county, supporting the council's growth ambitions through early engagement and a pragmatic approach.

WHAT IS INVOLVED? 
As a Senior Planning Officer, you will be involved in managing complex planning applications, from pre-application advice to final decisions and appeals. Your expertise will support large-scale housing developments, commercial projects, infrastructure proposals, renewable energy initiatives, and minerals and waste developments. You will also have the opportunity to lead major projects and supervise junior officers, making a significant contribution to the planning landscape of Durham.

For more information about our Planning Development Management Service, visit Working in Planning Development Management.

We encourage you to contact Steven Pilkington, Strategic Development Manager via email at steven.pilkington@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.  
 
WHAT WILL I NEED? 

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent in a relevant town planning qualification (G11) and have a Professional qualification (RTPI) (G12).
• Proven experience in planning and development management, with a solid understanding of planning policies and procedures.
• The ability to work effectively on complex and large-scale projects.
• A passion for delivering high-quality, sustainable development in diverse environments.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to engage with developers, stakeholders, and the public.

Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria. 

WHY JOIN US?

• A Strong Team: Our Development Management team is dedicated to making a real impact on the growth and development of Durham. We handle around 4,000 planning applications annually, covering a range of exciting environments, including the Durham Dales, the Durham City World Heritage Site, and the stunning Heritage Coastline, as well as the towns and villages in between.
• Career Growth: Durham County Council offers a fantastic opportunity to advance your career in Planning. Whether you are seeking to progress your career or looking for your next challenge, we will support you to achieve your goals.  As a Senior Planning Officer, you’ll have the opportunity to shape major projects, mentor junior officers, and gain exposure to complex planning proposals.
• Benefits & Flexibility: We offer a competitive salary, up to 32 days of annual leave, and the excellent Local Government Pension Scheme. Our flexible working options, including home and office-based working from our new and modern office accommodation at Corten House in Durham city, ensure a great work-life balance.

INTERVIEWS 
Interviews are scheduled to be held week commencing 10th August 2026.
 
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.
 
OUR OFFER TO YOU
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website (https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26895/Rewards-and-benefits-if-you-work-for-us) .

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

HOW TO APPLY 
Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted.

Please visit our website (https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/2083/How-to-apply-for-a-job-with-us) to understand our position on using AI to support your application and for guidance on completing your application.
 
If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentREG@durham.gov.uk.

All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.

CONNECT WITH US
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Visit our website http://durham.gov.uk/jobsandcareerswithus

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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: Grade 11 £40,777 to £45,091 Grade 12 £44,075 to £48,226 per annum (Pay Award Pending)

Location: Durham, Durham

Sector: Education

Job Role: Officer