Senior Planner

Job Details

• Job Reference: REQ05392
• Date Posted: 05/05/2026
• Closing Date: 31/05/2026
• Location: The Quays, Port Talbot
• Salary: £40,777.00 - £45,091.00 per annum + £3,000 per annum market pay supplement
• Contractual Hours: 37 per week, Full time
• Category: Planning and Enforcement

Job Description

We are looking for a Senior Planner to join our Development Management team and gain significant experience of working within a progressive authority within our expanding team. These are exciting times in [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]. There is lots to do with innovative and ground-breaking initiatives to be part of. Over the next few years we will be dealing with a huge range of applications including Development of National Significance, those related to the delivery of Freeports, off shore wind and our transition to a green sustainable industrial future in Port Talbot. We deal with a wide variety of residential, commercial, leisure, energy and other exciting developments, offering you a great opportunity to gain or build upon your experience or knowledge which we believe is unique in the region. If you are highly motivated and already very experienced in delivering high quality development quickly and wish to be part of our expanding team, where you can shape services that really deliver for residents and customers, we want to hear from you.

The main duties of the post:

• Responsibility for a personal caseload of controversial, complex and/or strategically important planning and related applications or enforcement cases including consultations, negotiation with applicants and stakeholders, site appraisals and the preparation of complex reports and recommendations.
• To negotiate the delivery of planning obligations in accordance with National and Local policies as defined in the Local Development Plan and Supplementary Planning Guidance.
• Responsibility for processing and representing the Council in respect of controversial, complex and/or strategically important planning and enforcement appeals, including the preparation of appeal statements, attendance at site visits and giving evidence at hearings and public inquiries.
• To work with the Team Leader to provide day-to-day guidance and supervision to less experienced officers / assistants to assist them with their duties.
• To be part of the Panel of Officers reviewing Officer recommendations on those applications / matters brought before the Delegated Panel.
• To participate in the work of improving the Development Management Service and to deputise for the appropriate Team Leader as may be required.

About you:

• Development Management and Appeals experience.
• Expertise / experience in assessing or preparing applications for planning permission, including applications for larger and more complex development schemes.
• Can demonstrate an excellent understanding of the relationship between development management, enforcement, planning policy and other material considerations.
• The ability to manage complex work programmes, meet deadlines and work both independently and collaboratively.

You will hold a planning qualification to RTPI standard, or equivalent Development Management experience.

About us: We believe in rewarding and recognising our colleagues’ efforts and achievements. Choose to work for us and you’ll be rewarded with a range of attractive benefits including hybrid working (minimum 2 days per week in the office), 22.4% employer pension contribution, 25 days holiday (increasing to 32 after 5 years), discounted gym membership, cycle to work scheme, and car salary sacrifice scheme.

For an informal discussion, please contact Chris Davies at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal].

Apply online via [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal].

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is totally committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults. The recruitment process will be underpinned by rigorous safer recruitment assessment. Welsh language skills are not required. Applications may be submitted in Welsh. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with a disability and armed forces veterans. In support of employees of Tata Steel at risk of redundancy, [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] offers a guaranteed interview for jobs across the Council.