Job Description

How you'll make a difference:

The Planning Service is entering an exciting time for development, with the draft Local Plan set for public examination in 2027 and part of the area shortlisted for the Government's New Town Status.


As Principal Planning Officer, you will be the lead officer responsible for at least one of the newly identified strategic development sites. Your work is at the cutting edge of creating future communities for the residents of South Gloucestershire, ensuring there are high quality environments and services for all generations to enjoy.


What you will be doing:
As the lead officer for at least one large strategic development site, you will project manage all applications for that site and will be working within a multi-disciplinary team of planners, urban design officers, landscape architects, ecologists and public opens space officers. You will provide technical expertise in the delivery of the council's major sites planning and other corporate policy objectives through the determination of delegated consultation and formulating reports and recommendations for formal determination in line with the council's procedures. It will be your responsibility to assist, enable and helping junior members of the team to grow and develop their planning careers, through regular meetings and in team training. As required, you will deputise for the Strategic Major Sites Team Manager, handling concerns, complaints and FOI requests in accordance with council procedures and time scales. On a regular basis, you will travel on council business, so you must either have a current driving license and provide a car or have access to appropriate means of travel.

What we need from you:
We require you to hold a degree relevant to town and country planning, as well as a full membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute or other relevant professional body. It is essential that you have substantial experience of planning and delivering activity in relevant services to meet statutory requirements within the service areas. You must have a comprehensive knowledge of the relevant legislation and regulatory framework for the provision of the Strategic Major Sites service. Given the elements of the role, you will have experience of negotiation and organising effective consultation and participation with representatives of the public, community groups, the business community and other interested parties. It is essential you have experience of working with applicants through a Planning Performance Agreement.

What you need to know:

Interviews will take place on the 2nd February 2026.

How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different:
As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee

wellbeing support

and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities. We recognise that our

diverse team

of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities. We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our

training and development offer,

which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.
Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.


We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of. We're planning for the future; building and improving the roads, railways, schools, green spaces, and houses. We're providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained.

We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.

We're making a difference, be part of it!

To view the full job description, please click this link: Principal Planning Officer job description