Planning Officer​/Trainee Planning Officer; Development Management

About The Role

We are seeking to expand our Development Management Team to help realise our growth ambitions. This role is flexible - if you are a qualified Planning Officer, the salary range is £34,434 - £38,220 per annum; if you are a Trainee Planning Officer, the salary range is £27,254 - 32,597 per annum.

This is an exciting opportunity to Join North Norfolk District Council. With a recently adopted Local Plan, significant site allocations coming forward, a five-year housing land supply and work commencing on the next Plan under the new plan making system we are expanding our teams and looking for motivated & ambitious planners seeking a fresh challenge by working in a unique and special area.

With an area famed for its stunning coastline and big skies, a designated national landscape, 2,000+ listed buildings, 84 conservation areas, numerous European protected sites and various ecological interests amongst many other things, there is a lot to think about when managing growth ambitions, whatever scale of development.

Please note:

A Trainee Planning Officer will start on a Fixed Term Contract while undertaking their Royal Town Planning Institute recognised qualifications with the Council, after which, they can become a qualified Planning Officer.

Caseload is therefore dependent on experience but will predominantly be smaller major applications and minor housing and commercial schemes.

• Process and make recommendations on an individual caseload of planning and other applications; to ensure that decisions made and advice given accord with the Councils policies, Government advice and good planning practice.
• Provide and offer advice and guidance to prospective applicants, consultants and members of the public prior to submission of applications and on general planning matters.
• Prepare and provide written evidence on planning appeals.
• Advise/liaise with elected Members in relation to planning and enforcement matters in the area.
• Prepare written Development Committee reports.
• Attend meetings convened by other parties and organisations as necessary, to advise on the development management process, particularly through the giving of information and advice.

We are looking for people who can deliver good quality outcomes through the planning process, can communicate effectively with a wider audience and can deliver timely decisions.

• Have a Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) recognised degree or diploma in planning. OR Educated to degree level with three years practical experience in a Local Planning Authority within Development Management. OR for the Trainee Planning Officer role, have a degree related to Town Planning and prepared to undertake an RTPI accredited MSc qualification.
• Be able to demonstrate competency at using IT Systems.
• Be able to demonstrate the Experience, Knowledge, Skills, Aptitude and Disposition required for the role.

Whether you are just beginning your planning career, have recently qualified or have years of experience to bring to the team, we would like to hear from you.

Applications for part time hours will be considered.

Closing Date: 11.59pm on Sunday 21 June 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applicants.

Week commencing 29 June 2026.

For an informal discussion,please contact Geoff Lyon (Development Manager), Colin Reuben (Team Leader) or Phillip Rowson (Team Leader) on:

Email: geo; colin or phillip

Our Cromer office is clean, modern and light, with onsite lunchtime catering and free onsite parking.

We have a supportive culture that enables our people to learn and grow through attending courses, e-learning, and their daily job roles. We provide excellent opportunities for communication through updates from Directors and the Chief Executive. Our onsite recognised union is UNISON.

We offer several benefits to all our employees:

• employee assistance program
• discounts portal
• salary sacrifice schemes (bikes, home electricals and EV car leasing - available after completion of probation period).
• a good work-life balance, with many roles following our hybrid approach to work (if your role supports hybrid working, all we ask is that you have a stable and reliable internet connection).
• 25 days' holiday per year, plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days after 5 years' service (assuming the role is full‑time).
• access to an excellent local government pension scheme based on your local authority career average earnings.

We encourage applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.