Planning Careers

Our work ranges from extensions and changes of use to major development proposals. We provide advice before applicants submit their plans, assess applications against planning policy and negotiate improvements to proposed schemes.

Working in Planning could involve:

• Assessing planning applications: considering proposals for new development, extensions, changes of use and advertisements.
• Providing early advice: helping residents, businesses and developers understand planning considerations before submitting an application.
• Working with communities and specialists: considering comments from local people alongside advice from colleagues and statutory consultees.
• Improving development proposals: negotiating changes to design, accessibility and sustainability, including the infrastructure needed to support development.
• Supporting planning decisions: preparing clear reports and recommendations, including applications considered by Planning Committee.
• Monitoring development: checking compliance with planning conditions and legal obligations.

Planning involves balancing the need for development with local and national planning policies. Our team supports housing delivery, regeneration and investment while seeking better outcomes for Nottingham’s communities.

Your contribution could help improve a proposed development or guide an applicant towards a more suitable design. You would help explain the reasons behind planning recommendations and how proposals respond to planning policy.

Part of Development Management

Planning and Planning Services sit within Development Management, alongside Building Control and colleagues working on design and service improvement. Customer Hub colleagues support the service through enquiries, application registration and administration.

Your work would connect with other disciplines and with the people who use the service, contributing to a coordinated experience for residents, businesses and developers.

Learning and professional development

Development Management has introduced a “grow our own” approach to developing future planners and surveyors and has invested in training and professional development.

The Planning team also places importance on sharing knowledge and helping colleagues build confidence in making robust planning decisions.

The recruitment process is an opportunity to ask about the learning and development available for a particular role. Check the vacancy information for details of any funded qualifications, apprenticeships or professional membership support.

A service that is changing

Development Management is working to modernise its systems and make better use of technology and data. Its ambition is to reduce time spent on administration, so colleagues can devote more attention to professional judgement and customer service.

Service improvement roles support digital working, performance information and customer experience. Design and placemaking expertise contributes to the quality of development proposals and guidance.

Choosing your route

You may be starting your career, considering a change of direction or looking to develop an existing specialism. Each advertised role will set out its entry requirements and the experience applicants need to demonstrate.