Position: Town Planner / Planning Officer

Organisation: Coventry City Council
Location: Coventry Council Offices (with hybrid working options available)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent (37 hours/week)

🌆 About the Role

Coventry City Council is seeking a motivated and professional Town Planner / Planning Officer to join our Planning & Transportation Team. You’ll contribute to shaping Coventry’s future—evaluating planning applications, influencing policy, and working on sustainable growth measures to support our thriving, multicultural city.

📋 Key Responsibilities

• Assess planning and development applications (residential, commercial, change of use) against national and local planning policies.

• Provide quality responses to pre-application enquiries, advising developers and the public.

• Conduct site visits, review building plans, transport/policy reports, and environmental impact statements.

• Prepare clear and balanced officer reports, presenting recommendations for committee decisions.

• Present proposals to the Planning Committee, local councillors, and community groups.

• Engage with stakeholders, including internal departments, developers, neighbouring authorities, and community representatives.

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and review of planning policies, guidance, and supplementary planning documents.

• Monitor and enforce compliance with planning permissions and conditions.

• Support neighbourhood planning, conservation projects, and community engagement events.

• Promote sustainable development, effective design, and high-density developments aligned with Coventry’s strategic goals.

✅ Essential Qualifications & Skills

• Degree or postgraduate qualification in Town & Country Planning (BSc/MA/MRTPI) or equivalent experience.

• Full membership or working towards RTPI accreditation (or equivalent professional body).

• Practical experience of assessing planning applications and writing planning reports.

• Strong knowledge of the Town and Country Planning Act, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and Coventry Local Plan.

• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities, both written and oral.

• Ability to work independently and manage an active caseload efficiently.

• Proficient in GIS, mapping tools, and MS Office software.

🎓 Desirable Qualifications & Skills

• Experience with urban design, regeneration, environmental or heritage impact assessments.

• Familiarity with conservation areas and listed building treatments.

• Project management skills; involvement in progress of section 106 agreements or CIL.

• Confidence in public speaking and community engagement.

• Understanding of transport planning principles, sustainability objectives, or community infrastructure.

🌟 What We Offer

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

• Hybrid working and flexible hours to support work–life balance

• Generous leave entitlement (annual leave, bank holidays, plus council closure days)

• Professional development support (RTPI continuous professional development, planning-specific training)

• Opportunities to contribute to high-profile regeneration and net-zero projects

• Inclusive, collaborative environment with staff wellbeing initiatives

🔍 How to Apply

1. Go to Coventry City Council’s careers portal: coventry.gov.uk/jobs

2. Complete the online form, upload your CV, and submit a supporting statement (max 2 A4 pages) detailing how you meet the essential criteria.

🌍 Equality & Inclusion

Coventry City Council values diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and can offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.