Development Control Engineer

• Location: Manchester
• Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (2 flexible days in the office)
• Hourly rate: £35-£40 per hour umbrella
• Length of role: Initial 3-6 months

Join our Highways Development Control (HDC) team in Manchester, a city with ambitious plans for sustainable growth. As a Development Control Engineer, you will play a crucial role in supporting the HDC team, ensuring all developments are safe, accessible, and mitigate any impact on the highway network and its users.

• Assess planning applications, including Condition Discharge submissions, under relevant legislation, policy, and guidance, providing technical responses as an Engineer / Planning Application Assessor within the Highways Development Control Team.
• Manage a diverse caseload of planning applications, including strategic major developments, ensuring high-quality technical responses and maintaining communication with the Planning Authority.
• Act as a senior support and point of reference for colleagues across Highways and the wider Council.
• Engage in stakeholder support, influence, and negotiation with both private and public clients, external stakeholders, including Transport for Greater Manchester and developers.
• Undertake quality assurance by reviewing design information and reports.
• Engage developers in pre-application discussions, offering technical guidance and influencing outcomes.
• Provide input into the review and updates of local highway policies and technical guidance.
• Negotiate with developers to secure new or improved highways infrastructure through appropriate legal highway agreements and planning conditions.
• Maintain a close working relationship with the Planning Team and wider Highways Service.
• Support fellow officers at Planning Committee and assist in stakeholder relationships with Ward Members.

• Significant experience within a highways environment, particularly in Development Control, including the review of or input into planning submissions.
• Minimum of an HNC / Degree in a relevant Planning / Highways discipline.
• Chartered/Incorporated Engineer or Membership of a relevant Institution is advantageous.
• Strong ability to manage relationships and provide expert advice.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.