Planning Officer

The Planner Jobs Redactive Publishing Limited; Chichester; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - GBP 39,000; Part time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a part-time Planning Officer responsible for managing planning applications and ensuring high professional standards for customer care. The ideal candidate will have strong negotiation skills and excellent communication abilities. Benefits include a robust pension scheme, flexible working arrangements, and training opportunities. Ideal for those with experience or recent graduates. Interviews will be held the week commencing March 2, 2026, and the closing date for applications is February 23, 2026.

Benefits

Defined benefits pension scheme

26-31 days holiday

Flexible working arrangements

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Health & Wellbeing initiatives

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience handling a broad range of development proposals.
• Able to negotiate planning improvements effectively.
• Organized and a positive contributor to team dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Manage planning applications, pre-application enquiries, and appeals.
• Ensure rapid turnaround while maintaining high standards.
• Negotiate improvements and secure quality designs.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Team player

Education

Relevant degree or recent graduate

Job description

Role Summary

Planning Officer (Part Time) – responsible for dealing with a caseload of planning applications, pre‑application enquiries and appeals within Chichester District.

Salary: £32,061 – £38,220 pro rata plus £2,500 per annum premia payment and £1,239 per annum essential user car allowance.

Responsibilities

• Deal effectively with planning applications, pre‑application enquiries and appeals, delivering a rapid turnaround while maintaining a high professional standard and customer care.

• Negotiate improvements to planning applications and secure high‑quality design.

• Work with applications across urban and rural areas, including the South Downs National Park.

Qualifications

• Experience of handling a broad range of development proposals; negotiator of planning improvements.

• Excellent communication skills, well organized, positive team player.

• Recent graduates considered.

Benefits

• Excellent defined benefits Pension Scheme
• Minimum 26 days holiday, up to 31 days after 5 years, plus paid Bank Holidays
• Flexi‑time available, potential to build up extra 12 days leave per year
• Flexible working arrangements including working from home and 9‑day fortnight options
• Employee Assistance Programme for staff and their relatives
• Cycle to Work Scheme / Car and Cycle Loan Scheme / discounted city centre parking / Lease Car Scheme
• Health & Wellbeing initiatives including free health checks, free eye tests and subsidised leisure centre membership
• Payment of your main professional subscription fee.
• Training and development opportunities – including funding of professional qualification training
• Staff Awards Scheme

Contact Information

For an informal discussion about these positions, please contact:

• Fjola Stevens (Divisional Manager) – [e-mail] – 01243 534557
• Jeremy Bushell (Development Manager) – [e-mail]

Interviews to be held w/c 2nd March 2026.

Application

Closing date: 23rd February 2026. To apply please click on the 'apply button'.

Chichester District Council has a commitment to Equality of Opportunity in Employment. If you have a disability which makes it difficult for you to complete our application form please contact the HR Section who will assist you.

Attachments:

• Planning Officer (Part Time) - About the Vacancy - Jan 2026
• Planning Officer (Part Time) - Job Profile - Jan 2026