Job Description

The Opportunity


We have a great opportunity for someone to join our team in Planning Services at West Sussex County Council to work in delivering our planning duties, gaining experience and further training in this career grade post. We are looking for a Senior/Principal Planner to be based at Chichester.

The work of the Service includes undertaking statutory and other functions relating to planning, highways, and development, influencing other decision-makers, and working in partnership with other organisations and bodies to achieve a range of broad and, sometimes, long-term outcomes.

Salary:

39,862- 51,356per annum, depending on skills and experience. (Grade 10: 39,862 - 42,839 p.a. Grade 11: 44,075 - 47,181 p.a. Grade12: 48,226 - 51,356 p.a.)

Working Pattern:

Full time, 37 hours per week, flexible working available.

Location:

Based at County Hall, Chichester, hybrid working options available.

Interview Date:

15th or 17th December 2025



Planning Policy and Infrastructure is one of seven teams in Planning Services, which is part of the Highways, Transport and Planning Directorate. The overall aims of Planning Services are to ensure that decisions made about planning and development make a positive difference to the economy, people and places of West Sussex, and to enable the delivery of the right infrastructure, in the right place, at the right time.



The advertised post is an integral part of the dedicated and experienced team, undertaking the roles and responsibilities of the Council in its planning. The County Council is the Waste Planning Authority and the Minerals Planning Authority for West Sussex (excluding those parts of the County covered by the South Downs National Park). It is responsible for the delivery of functions, duties and services associated with minerals and waste planning policy, as well as other land-use planning policy matters.



As a

Senior Planner

youwouldwork on a range of land-use planning policy matters including preparation of the statutory minerals and waste local plans, their supporting evidence base, monitoring and respond to planning policy consultations. This includes strategic policy consultations and preparation as well as local planning policy issues, in particular liaising with the local planning authorities about the preparation of their local plans and the potential implications for County Council services and functions. It also includes working on the key neighbourhood plans that are prepared by the town and parish councils.



The role also includes working with the local planning authorities, the area economic partnerships and other regional partnerships on planning to deliver strategic priorities for West Sussex. The work also involves developing approaches that ensure the County Council's interests are taken forward through planning obligations and the implementation by the local planning authorities of the Community Infrastructure Levy. The work of this role will also involve coordinating, advising and checking the work of more junior members of staff.



In addition to the above, as a

Principal Planner

you would be one of the lead professionals in the Planning Policy and Infrastructure Team and deputise, as appropriate, for the Team Manager. The role will also require liaising with members, District and Borough Councils, other local planning authorities and agencies including Government departments, community groups, industry, and other key stakeholders. The work of this role will also involve the supervision of more junior members of staff.




About You


This position is a career grade post, please see below for a summary of the Key Skills and Qualifications and/or experience. If successfully offered, you will be appointed at the grade relevant to your skills and experience level.



Senior Officer Grade 10 and 11:


Sound and accurate IT and keyboard skills which enables you to research, analyse and interpret information resulting in effective judgements in relation to proposals or creating planning policy. Strong problem-solving skills allowing you to resolve issues independently where appropriate and understanding the direct impact on the business and service. Build and develop credible working relationships and be able to negotiate and influence stakeholders. Highly developed advisory skills and ability to explain and encourage individuals to support often controversial policy proposals and encourage a particular course of action. Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written to a varied audience. Degree in Town Planning or related discipline or equivalent experience demonstrating a high level of applied knowledge in researching, analysing and evaluating arguments and information. Post graduate qualification or equivalent experience in Town Planning or a related discipline. Significant experience in a planning specialism, including relevant operational experience in a specialist planning policy or planner role.

Principal Officer Grade 12:


Excellent IT and keyboard skills which enables you to research, analyse and interpret complex information and data resulting in effective, robust judgements in relation to proposals or creating planning policy. Also, write reports considering business implications, setting timescales and articulate recommendations taking account of the broader impacts on the business. Excellent problem-solving skills with the experience to anticipate problems, create solutions independently and understanding the direct impact on the business and service. Ability to apply project management principles to small projects. Highly developed advisory skills to persuade and encourage a particular course of action. Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written to a varied audience, to negotiate and influence stakeholders that may be complex and contentious. Degree or postgraduate qualification in Town Planning or related discipline appropriate to the role. Membership, or eligibility for membership, of an appropriate professional body, such as the Royal Town Planning Institute. Extensive experience in a planning specialism, including relevant operational experience in a specialist planning policy or planner role.

For full details on the Key Skills and Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the s attached.

Reward and Benefits


As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do. Upon joining us you will have access to a range of benefits including the following:



For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our

Rewards and Benefits

page.


Further information


The reference number for this role is

EIE01488

.



For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Caroline West, Planning Policy and Infrastructure Team Manager at

caroline.west@westsussex.gov.uk

For issues or queries regarding your application please contact Emma Cooper on

emma.cooper@westsussex.gov.uk

.

To apply, please follow the links below upload your CV and complete the application explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV.



The role involves some outdoor work for which wearing personal protective equipment is necessary. You will also need to be able to travel independently around the County, including to areas that are not easily accessible by public transport. There is a regular and intrinsic requirement to communicate in English with members of the public.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to 3 years referencing and a health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.



We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our

application help

page.



EC



LOCATION

Chichester area

CONTRACT TYPE

Permanent

JOB TYPE

Highways, Transport and Planning

CLOSING DATE

08 December 2025