Employer:
Surrey Heath Borough Council
Location:
Contract:
Permanent
Working Pattern:
Full Time
Hours:
37 hours per week.
DBS Check:
No
Closing Date:
22/06/2026 at 11:59
Reference:
BER/26/337846
Senior / Principal Planning Policy Officer
Salary range £41,306 – £46,378 £48,383 – £54,010 per annum
Join Surrey Heath Borough Council and be part of an organisation whichis committed to delivery through meaningful community engagement and excellent customer service.We have a friendly and supportive staff culturewith people who want to help make a real difference in our communityfor everyone that lives and works here.Wesupporta culture of innovation and creativity by welcomingnew ideasfrom everyone.We support a work life balance with options for flexible and hybrid working.
Local Government Reorganisation
From April 2027, Surrey Heath Borough Council will become part of the new West Surrey unitary council, as part of a major local government reorganisation across Surrey. This change will see the current twelve councils replaced by two new authorities: East Surrey and West Surrey. West Surrey will cover the areas currently served by Guildford, Waverley, Runnymede, Spelthorne, SurreyHeathand Woking.
Joining us now means becoming part of an organisation where collaborationthrives and where your contribution will directly influence one of the most significant local government transformations in decades.You’llgain valuable experience, play an active role in shaping the future of public services across West Surrey, and work within a team committed to professionalismand delivering outstanding outcomes for our communities.
Together, we will ensure a smooth transition and continue to deliver exceptional services for residents both now and into the future.When the new councils are created in April 2027, most staff will transfer to the new council on their current terms and conditions. Being part of a larger organisation may offeradditionalopportunities for career development and variety.
The Role
We are looking to recruitto a Senior / PrincipalPlanning PolicyOfficerpost,potentiallyas a career graded role,within the Planning Policy and Conservation Team. You will be joining a small,busyand friendlyteamresponsible forthe preparation of a new Local Plan and associated planning policy tasks. Now isa good timeto join the authorityas we embark onthe production ofa new local plan under the new plan-making system.The roleprovidesthe opportunity todevelopexperience across all aspects of Planning Policy in a Borough thatcontainsboth urban and rural areas, including areas of Metropolitan Green Belt.
You must beanenthusiasticand proactive town planner with experience in local plan-making and Planning Policy.You will haveexcellentandeffective written and verbal communication skillsand will be happy to take the initiative in managing and driving forward projects.Youwill be prepared totake responsibility for leading on key topics and will play a key role in the development and delivery of the Local Plan Review 2044.For thisrolea degree or MSc in Town and Country Planning/Urban Planning, or equivalent is essential.
Additional Information
We offer agenerous benefits package includinga minimum of 23 days’ annual leaverising to 28 days after 5 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays,a generous localgovernmentpensionscheme, free parkingfor all employees and payment of a professional membership fee. As well as subsidised gym membership at our local Places Leisure Centre and great savingsfrom supermarkets, shopping, cycle to work schemes and holidays.A laptop will be providedto enable hybrid working.
Surrey Heath Borough Council is committed to equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. To fulfil thiscommitment,we have robust systems in place for the safe recruitment of staff.
NO AGENCY CALLSPLEASE
Surrey Heath Borough Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
How to apply
Please apply online via the link provided.
Surrey Heath Borough Council is committed to safer recruitment and equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. If you are unable to apply online for reasons of disability, please call 01276 707126 to discuss any reasonable adjustments that may be made to accommodate your individual requirements.
Please note:
All successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment checks in line with BPSS guidelines, which includes standard identification, referencing and unspent conviction checks. Surrey Heath Borough Council undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.
For the best chance of successful application, please read the Job Description and Personal Specification fully before applying for this vacancy as it contains information you will need to refer to when applying. We do not accept CV’s submitted without a fully completed application form. To reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. If you choose to submit your CV with your application form we request that you remove all your personal details before uploading your CV. This will ensure that Managers cannot see your personal details when completing their shortlist. If you have not heard from the council within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful. All unsuccessful applications will be removed and confidentially disposed of 6 months after the closing date.
If you have any further enquiries please email recruitment@surreyheath.gov.uk or telephone 01276 707126.
For technical issues, please contact Jobsgopublic directly.
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