Senior Planning Officer

This is an exciting opportunity to join Ipswich Borough Council at the start of 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, we are looking to expand our team with motivated, ambitious senior planners.

Ipswich is one of the fastest growing regional centres in England and is 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.

The role primarily involves shaping a new people centred Town Centre Strategy and the preparation of evidence base studies, monitoring and engagement to progress into the next Ipswich Local Plan, which is due to commence in in 2026. By joining us now, you will play a key role from the earliest stages.

There is also significant opportunity to work collaboratively with neighbouring local authorities and Suffolk County Council on strategic planning matters. This role will allow the successful candidate the opportunity to further develop their skill set providing analysis and working to support other officers; report writing; project management; the opportunity to write guidance to expand on planning policy, and to get involved in helping to deliver allocations and regeneration by working with developers and site owners as well as input into master-planning larger sites.

In addition, the role will also afford the opportunity to work closely with the Council’s busy Development Management team.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Town Planner with a relevant degree or post graduate diploma or an 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 you will have previous Local Plan making experience.

In the context of a strong corporate emphasis on town centre regeneration and growth, we are keen to hear from candidates with experience of, or a strong interest in, town centre policy, regeneration and place-based planning. Effective project management and workload skills with a genuine passion for improving our built environment are a must. Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with key stakeholders are essential.

As well as a good salary, we offer a 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 and the opportunity to work with great colleagues.

For more information, please contact the Planning Policy Team Leader, Anna Roe on 01473 432911 or via email at anna.roe@ipswich.gov.uk or Matt Deakin on 01473 432490 or via email at matt.deakin@ipswich.gov.uk

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

The selection process will involve an on-site assessment test for candidates who are selected for interview. Interviews are proposed to take place on the week commencing 29 June 2026 at Grafton House, Ipswich.

Please download the Job Description and Personal Specification to find out more about this role: Job Description and Person Specification

Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to interview candidates who meet the essential criteria prior to the closing date and / or to close the opportunity to applicants once we receive sufficient applications

Please note CVs are not accepted.

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