Principle Planning Officer

• Hourly rate: £50-£55 per hour umbrella
• Location: Directorate of Regeneration & Environment
• Job Type: Full-time
• Length of role: Initial 6 months

We are seeking a Principal Planning Officer to deliver and implement corporate and directorate objectives through specialist planning advice. This role involves handling major planning applications, policy development, and associated services. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in local authority planning and policy planning, capable of managing large-scale strategic projects with minimal supervision.

• Assist in the delivery of Planning Services by providing clear, effective advice on Development Management and Planning Policy to achieve borough, corporate, and service priorities.
• Manage own caseload of major and other planning applications, determining all planning applications and other matters in accordance with the Council’s approved scheme of delegation.
• Develop and implement statutory and non-statutory policy and strategy, including all aspects of statutory planning policy such as the preparation of evidence documents, data analysis, research, and the preparation/review of development plans including Neighbourhood Plans.
• Prepare and advise on CIL/s106 matters including policy and implementation.
• Engage in pre-application discussions and negotiations with developers to identify requirements, interpret policies, and improve proposals.
• Act as the Council’s expert witness in connection with planning/enforcement appeals and/or examinations in public.
• Support and advise on the planning enforcement process.
• Support and represent the Planning Services Management Team as required.

• Planning qualification to degree level (or equivalent) and full membership of the RTPI (or clear evidence of working towards full membership) along with evidence of continuing professional development.
• Local Authority experience working on Policy Planning, relating to the production of policy documents for Local Plans and/or experience of dealing with major planning applications and/or preparing and presenting evidence at appeals and/or Local Plan or other plan-making examinations.
• Ability to clearly write and present reports and evidence on complex planning matters.
• Experience of some level of supervision/management.