Senior Planning Officer

The Role

Herefordshire Council are seeking to recruit two Senior Planning Officer posts – one full‑time 37 hours per week and one six‑month part‑time maternity cover for 22.2 hours per week.

The successful applicants will be ambitious town planners wishing to gain further experience within Development Management, or a senior‑level professional looking for a team in a beautiful area.

Read the full advert to understand how you could play a key role in shaping a sustainable and greener future for the Herefordshire community.

You will be based within one of the two area teams and will work on some of the significant planning (and associated) applications we handle.

You will work within the beautiful Herefordshire countryside as well as dealing with casework in the city of Hereford and its surrounding market towns and villages.

The county is rich in biodiversity, landscape and heritage value, including two National Landscapes, Conservation Areas and many listed buildings. It offers valuable experience across a wide range of casework and challenges, and the chance to shape a sustainable future as the Council prepares a new Local Plan.

• Understanding of the role of a Senior Planning Officer in a local planning authority and demonstrable experience of handling a range of planning and associated applications.
• Strong knowledge of planning policy, regulatory issues and current legislation.
• Ability to work independently and within a team, often to tight deadlines and on multiple work streams.
• Membership of, or actively working towards membership of, the Royal Town Planning Institute.
• Current full driving licence. Pool cars are available for use.
• Please note we do not provide sponsorship for employment in the UK.

• Competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme.
• Salary range of £36,363 – £40,777 (pay award pending).
• Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Career progression: clear pathways to progress.
• Annual leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro‑rata) plus bank holidays; an additional 10 days per annum may be purchased during the request period.
• Flexible working: potential for job‑sharing, part‑time hours and agile working.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling.
• Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements).
• Choice of perks, including a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits, savings, cash back and discounts.

• Those who indicate that they have a disability – part of our commitment to the Disability Confident scheme.
• Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist – part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver – part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.

We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously. All staff, visitors and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. This position will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

• Job Title:
  
  Senior Planning Officer – 2 Posts
• Hours:
  
  37 full‑time post and 22.2 part‑time post
• Salary: HC08 £ 36,363 – £40,777 per annum (or part‑time equivalent)
• Contract:
  
  1 Permanent and 1 six‑month part‑time maternity cover
• Closing date: 17/07/2026