• Careers Site Advertising End DateEnd Date:
    17 Feb 2026
  • All LocationsAll Locations:
    Coleford
  • Vacancy TypeVacancy Type:
    Permanent
  • Advertising SalarySalary Details:
    £32,952 - £35,189 per annum
  • Service Area:
    Planning Services
  • Hours Per WeekHours Per Week:
    37
  • About The Role


  • Planning Officer
    £32,952 - £35,189 per annum 
    Permanent contract
    Coleford/agile working
     

    Forest of Dean District Council is offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced Planning Officer to join its Development Management team.

    This role is ideal for someone with at least three years’ experience in handling planning applications who is ready to step into a rewarding position with real influence. You’ll assess a wide range of applications, provide valued pre-application advice, and produce high-quality reports that shape planning decisions and support sustainable growth across the district.

    You’ll be part of a friendly, ambitious team of 12 planners, supported by a wider network of specialists in policy, sustainability, and heritage. With on going mentoring from the Principal Planning Officer, this role offers genuine career progression, professional development, and the chance to broaden your experience in a supportive local authority environment. Whether you’re looking to advance within Development Management or transition from the private sector, this role provides the support and variety to help you thrive.

    Set within one of the UK’s most distinctive landscapes, the Forest of Dean offers an exceptional planning context—ranging from historic woodlands and market towns to innovative regeneration and renewable energy projects. You’ll work on developments that truly matter, including community-led regeneration, major sustainability initiatives, and the creation of a new Local Plan. This is your chance to help shape the future of the district, influencing high-quality development through impactful planning decisions and pre-application advice that supports a sustainable and inclusive place to live and work.

    You will need

    • A qualification in planning, equivalent to a degree or relevant experience of three years  
    • GCSE Maths and English or equivalent to grade C/4 or higher
    • Experience of dealing with planning applications either within local government or the private sector.

    Special Conditions

    • Full UK Driving Licence with access to a vehicle for work purposes

    Advert Closing Date: 17th February
    Interview date: 27th February

    What can we do for you
    • Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
    • Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
    • 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 30 days after five years of service
    • In addition you will have an extra two volunteering days a year for you to support a charity of your choice
    • Renewed again for another year there is a Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
    • Generous contributory local government pension scheme
    • Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
    • Cycle to work scheme
    • Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
    • Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements 

  • About Us

  • Forest of Dean District Council is dedicated to creating a vibrant and sustainable future for our community. Our priorities are centred on fostering thriving communities by empowering and engaging residents, enhancing infrastructure, promoting community well-being, and ensuring social equity. 
     
    We are committed to decarbonisation and nature recovery, focusing on renewable energy transitions, energy efficiency, transport transformation, nature recovery, and food resilience. Additionally, we strive to build a sustainable economy through the promotion of a circular economy, robust business support, workforce skill development, sustainable town initiatives, and the preservation of natural capital. 
     
    Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies - Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email. 

    Forest of Dean District Council is committed to meeting its statutory and moral duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people under 18 years of age and adults at risk who are the recipients of its services and/or activities.

    Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references;  proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years’ employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.

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