Senior Planning Officer

Senior Planning Officer

Employer: Ipswich Borough Council Location: Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2DE Salary: £42,839 - £45,091 per annum Hours: 37 hours per week Contract: Permanent. Required as soon as possible Reference: 0801

About Ipswich

Ipswich is one of the fastest growing regional centres in England and the largest centre in Suffolk for business, culture, entertainment and sports. A university town with a rich culture, heritage, elite sports teams and a thriving Waterfront, it is well connected to London and other parts of the country through strategic rail and road links.

The town is entering an important period, with the Council prioritising the delivery of a Town Centre Strategy and supporting the Ipswich City of Culture bid. Backed by successful Towns Fund investment and a strong regeneration pipeline, Ipswich offers a unique opportunity to help shape a vibrant, resilient and culturally rich town centre.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join Ipswich Borough Council at the start of the Local Plan making journey under the new plan-making system and progress a programme of town centre regeneration. Following a re-structure and in light of these exciting workstreams, the Council is expanding the planning team with motivated, ambitious senior planners.

The role primarily involves:

• Shaping a new people centred Town Centre Strategy
• Preparation of evidence base studies, monitoring and engagement to progress into the next Ipswich Local Plan, due to commence in 2026
• Playing a key role from the earliest stages of the Local Plan process

Responsibilities

• Working collaboratively with neighbouring local authorities and Suffolk County Council on strategic planning matters
• Analysis and support to other officers
• Report writing and project management
• Writing guidance to expand on planning policy
• Helping to deliver allocations and regeneration by working with developers and site owners
• Input into master-planning larger sites
• Working closely with the Council's busy Development Management team

Requirements

• Relevant degree or postgraduate diploma or NVQ Level 6 qualification in planning or a relevant field
• Membership of the RTPI is required or actively being worked towards for a Senior Planner role
• Ideally, previous Local Plan making experience
• Experience of, or a strong interest in, town centre policy, regeneration and place-based planning
• Effective project management and workload skills
• Genuine passion for improving the built environment
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to collaborate with key stakeholders

Benefits

• Career grade average pension scheme
• Generous holiday and sick pay entitlements
• Subsidised parking for work and leisure
• Public transport discounts
• Free swimming and gym membership
• Cycle purchase scheme
• Plenty of personal and professional development opportunities
• Flexible working
• Hybrid working opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme

How to Apply

To apply, visit the Ambition Ipswich website and complete the online application form for this vacancy.

Please note: CVs are not accepted.

For more information, please contact:

• Planning Policy Team Leader, Anna Roe: 01473 432911 or anna.roe@ipswich.gov.uk
• Matt Deakin: 01473 432490 or matt.deakin@ipswich.gov.uk

Download the Job Description and Person Specification (pdf) for more details about this role.

Selection Process

The selection process will involve an on-site assessment test for candidates selected for interview.

Early applications are encouraged as the Council reserves the right to interview candidates who meet the essential criteria prior to the closing date and/or to close the opportunity to applicants once sufficient applications are received.

Closing date: 11.55 pm, 1 July 2026 Proposed interview dates: 13 and 20 July 2026 at Grafton House, Ipswich

If you require any assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application or recruitment process, please let the Council know so that the appropriate arrangements can be put in place.