Principal Planning Officer (Policy)

At Swindon Borough Council, we want our town to be the best it can be. Our ambitious vision in the new Swindon Plan is supported by realistic transformation programmes, with the people of Swindon at their heart. Because that’s who we’re doing it for – the communities and businesses that make our town great.

As part of the Council, you’ll support a friendly local authority making decisions with real impact. It’s all for better public services. Better processes. A Better Swindon. And a better quality of life, for everyone. Join us, and Swindon will be better with you.

You will provide senior level planning expertise to deliver the council’s planning policy functions in a customer focused and solutions led way creating the right conditions for accelerating high-quality development and supporting sustainable growth in Swindon. Key to this is our Local Plan which is shortly to be published for consultation.

There’s lots going on in Swindon. We are one of the UK’s fastest growing towns and one of the Five Fast Growth Cities, some of the most successful and innovative places in the UK. With a bold agenda for regenerating our town centre, alongside significant town expansion you will play a key role in shaping future growth and investment.

Your next role

You will ordinarily focus on planning policy. Through the Planning Policy Lead Officer you will support the Chief Planning Officer to unlock planning barriers and provide the appropriate policy context to support strategic growth and key regeneration priorities, and transforming the town centre.

You must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act “for the effective performance of a customer-facing role”).

Your next package

Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.

As a Swindon Borough Council employee, you will work in a diverse and exciting environment, which encourages creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.

For Swindon to thrive in the future, we need to lay the foundations now. It’s why our regeneration and transformation programmes are already underway. So, you’ll be joining us at an exciting time on our journey. We’ll look to you to share your knowledge, influence decisions and drive real, positive change. With your contributions, we’ll achieve our vision of a prosperous, re-vitalised Swindon together. And you’ll be proud to say it was made better with you.

Please see our Vision and Values page for more details.

Please see our new Swindon Plan

Your next steps

Read the role profile and to apply please send your CV and cover letter to [email protected] quoting the ref number 236 outlining your skills and experience.

Potential applicants are sometimes put off if they don’t meet 100% of the requirements. We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you meet the majority of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion regarding the position, the organisation and the team structure, please contact Richard Bell, Chief Planning Officer, email [email protected]

As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from a diverse range of communities, and in particular disabled people and people from ethnic minorities. Read our statement of commitment to equality & inclusion