We currently have a number of exciting opportunities within the Bedford Borough Planning Service and this is an ideal career opportunity for an astute, forward thinking principal planner who has the experience, knowledge and drive to deliver some significant and important development projects within the Borough.

Bedford itself is a traditional market town with a range of excellent educational settings and good quality cultural facilities. The River Great Ouse with its formal embankment along with an impressive range of other urban parks and gardens provide a high quality environment in which to live and work. However if you prefer to live in a more rural setting you will not be disappointed as we also have many attractive villages from which to choose. 

Bedford Borough Council is committed to a major programme of sustainable growth which will shape the Borough for generations to come. This will deliver thousands of new homes, regenerate its town centres and deliver environmental enhancements and an improved transport system.

We offer a fantastic opportunity to continue developing your planning career with an unrivalled mix of urban and rural development, regeneration schemes and sustainable new settlements. We are a friendly and supportive team, and we have flexible working practices, with a mixture of working in our office and home-working. In return we are looking for a motivated and innovative planner with relevant knowledge and experience of leading and dealing with a range of major and complex applications. A pro-active approach to place-shaping and excellent customer service skills are essential, as well as being a team player.

If you are interested in this position and would like an informal chat please email; Gideon.richards@bedford.gov.uk or Gavin.Chinniah@bedford.gov.uk

How to apply

When you are ready to apply, click on ‘Apply for Vacancy’; you will be asked to upload a CV and answer some application questions.  The application questions require a yes/no response.  Please make sure your CV shows how you meet the requirements for the role you are applying for, the job profile below will show the essential selection criteria.  An optional CV template is provided below.  

Please note:

The Council will not normally re-employ ex-employees in receipt of:

· a severance payment (within 12 months of leaving)

· a local government pension (applies to Senior Officers only) unless the appointment is business critical

For further information, please email recruitment.team@bedford.gov.uk

Closing Date: 2nd September 2025

Interview Date: W/C 15th September 2025 

Bedford Borough Council is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant, Care Leavers Covenant and is a Disability Confident Employer. For more information please visit https://www.bedford.gov.uk