Senior/Principal Planning Officer
Development Management, Planning and Environmental Health
Salary: £45,868 - £56,105 (Scale 36-45)
Closing date: 9am on Monday 12 January 2025
Interview date: w/c 26 January 2026

What does it take to be a planner at Elmbridge?
Commitment? Determination? Solution-focussed attitude?

We would suggest that it takes all of this and one other trait; we want our planners to be
passionate about design.

That’s what makes planning at Elmbridge different; we have talented, passionate people,
determined to do their best work for Elmbridge, influencing and helping to shape Elmbridge.

You will see the other essential criteria in the person specification, but it’s your approach to

work that will be your main asset.
Are you ready to step up to a more senior role dealing with complex applications? Our
recently created Senior/Principal Planning Officer role enables career progression within the
same post, which would include the opportunity to take on the responsibility of delegated
decision making for certain applications.

Whether you are a planning manager, officer or trainee you will understand that you have an
important role to play in helping us to shape Elmbridge. You will be supporting our
customers and helping them to understand the role good planning makes in shaping an area.

Elmbridge is one of the busiest local planning authorities in the country and sets very high
standards for the delivery of planning decisions within Government targets. With land values
that rival London and a population of 140,000, we will provide you with an interesting and
challenging step in your career.

From April 2027, Elmbridge will become part of the new East Surrey Council. As we work
towards that time, our focus remains firmly on delivering high quality services to our
residents. We understand that this period of transition may bring uncertainty, particularly
around future working arrangements such as office locations. Please be assured that we are
committed to supporting all our employees throughout this process, prioritising wellbeing,
continuous learning and professional development.

While we cannot predict exactly what lies beyond 2027, we can confidently say that your
time at Elmbridge Borough Council will be both rewarding and enriching. You will gain
valuable experience, benefit from extensive training opportunities and be involved in one of
the most significant transformations in local government in the past 50 years.

About us
We know we ask a lot, but the good news is that we give a lot too.

• Learning and development:
  o We will support you on that journey by creating a bespoke learning and
  development plan for you.
  o You will meet people in the team who have completed Masters, been promoted
  within the team and have taken on other professional qualifications.
• Flexibility:
  o We know hybrid working is here to stay and we will discuss the right mix of home
  and office for you.
• Wellbeing:
•  When you thrive Elmbridge thrives, which is why we have developed a strong and varied wellbeing programme for our employees.
• The package:
  o Not forgetting our excellent pension and ‘Thrive’ package of employee benefits
  and discounts with various local businesses. There is also free employee parking.

What else?
We encourage you to read more on us and if you have any queries please give us a call.
If you would like to talk to us about the role, please give Paul our Development Manager a
call on 01372 474808.
What are you waiting for?