Overview
Service: Development & Economic Growth
Closing Date: Wednesday 22nd October 2025
We would love to welcome a Planning Officer to join our friendly team in working for Argyll and Bute. Let us tell you about why this could be a great move for you.
Argyll and Bute is one of Scotlands most stunning areas. As its award-winning council, we play a vital part in the day-to-day life and long-term future of our beautiful and diverse communities. Our unwavering purpose is to make Argyll and Bute the place to be, the place where people want to live, to work and do business. We are committed to making the council the place to have a great career, by providing excellent benefits and a friendly, dynamic working culture so that each of our 5000 colleagues can deliver services that help our corner of Scotland thrive. Join us to make a difference.
The successful candidate would be a key member of the Bute, Cowal, Helensburgh & Lomond area Development Management Team. The postholder will be based in either Helensburgh or Dunoon with a requirement to undertake site visits across the South and East Argyll working in and around Helensburgh, Dunoon and the Cowal Peninsula, and the Isle of Bute. Hybrid working arrangements may also be suitable. The post holders duties will include the assessment and determination of planning and related applications, responding to pre-application enquiries, the preparation of written correspondence and reports, communication and engagement with a variety of stakeholders, to assist in the monitoring and discharge of planning conditions and assisting in the presentation of planning items at committee.
Qualifications and Experience
Candidates must hold a relevant degree in Town and Country Planning (or similar) and hold (or be eligible for) chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute. The role would suit a planning professional who has a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience and knowledge and understanding of the Development Management process. Previous experience of working in a public sector role and/or rural planning matters would be beneficial. Candidates must be customer focused, have sound negotiation skills and be solution driven. Applicants will be required to travel efficiently and effectively within remote/rural areas and would therefore suit someone who holds a valid UK driving license.
Benefits and Working Arrangements
Our employees make good things happen in the day-to-day life and for the longer term future of Argyll and Bute. We want you to feel valued working for us. We offer various benefits to support you, such as a competitive salary, pension scheme, generous leave entitlement, cycle to work scheme, discounts on gym memberships and leisure centres, wellbeing initiatives, and opportunities for learning and career growth. We also embrace a modern approach to work, offering a flexible first approach where possible to requests from our employees to how they work.
We care about our people and the world around us and always aim to do the right thing. From employee recognition schemes to environmental policies we have many initiatives in place to help us look after the things we all care about.
Interviews will be held 5/6 November 2025.
Applicants notes
* Happy to talk about flexible working arrangements.
* The salary shown is the full time equivalent salary, the actual salary will be paid pro rata for the hours worked.
To apply for this vacancy, please click on the Apply Now button at the top of this page.
If you would like clarification on any information contained within the vacancy advert and/or the job description please contact the recruiting manager, who is:
* Kirsty Sweeney, Area Team Leader
* Telephone: 01436 657665
* Email: kirsty.sweeney@argyll-bute.gov.uk
* Reference: ARB16948 / 038486
Please note that you cannot apply for this vacancy by contacting the recruiting manager, applications must be made by clicking on the Apply Now button at the top of this page.
Please also note that we do not accept CVs, only applications completed and submitted via the Apply Now button on this page.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about our commitment to this please visit Equality & Diversity Policy.
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