Principal Planning Officer

How you'll make a difference:

You will have the opportunity to help drive the Development team forward adapting and evolving to the changing pressures faced by the planning system, and in this busy and diverse role have plenty of scope to grow, develop and influence.

What you will be doing:

• It will be your responsibility to determine some of the most complex and controversial planning applications determined by the development management team and preparing management data.
• You will provide technical expertise in the delivery of the council’s spatial planning and other corporate policy objectives, through the determination of planning applications, assisting with policy formulation, the preparation and presentation of reports to the Development Control Committee, the Spatial Planning Committee and Sites Inspection Sub-Committee.
• Assisting with day-to-day supervision of the staff team, you will undertake regular one to one reviews and professional development progress review meetings.
• On occasions, you will be deputising for the Development Management Team Manager, handling concerns, complaints and freedom of information requests in accordance with council procedures and time scales.
• It will be your responsibility to prepare responses to appeal which could include written reports and appearing at hearings and public inquiries.

What we need from you:

• You must have an appropriate degree relative to town and country planning and full membership of the royal town planning institute or other relevant professional body.
• It is essential that you have substantial experience of working to plan and determining complex planning applications to meet statutory requirements within the service areas.
• We require you to have a comprehensive knowledge of the relevant legislation and regulatory framework for the provision of the Development Management service.
• You will have experience of negotiation, organising effective consultation and participation with representatives of the public, community groups, the business community and other interested parties.
• Having work experience in making changes to established procedures to deliver better outcomes is desirable.
• Supporting and mentoring colleagues is a key element of this role and we require you to have experience of this in a previous work environment.

• This is a hybrid role meaning that you can work remotely or in our offices.
• You will be expected to travel throughout the authority and surrounding area so you must have a full, valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle or have an alternative means of travel.

Interviews will be held on Monday 10th March 2025 and Thursday 13th March 2025.

• As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.
• We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.

• We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of.
• We're planning for the future; building and improving the roads, railways, schools, green spaces, and houses.
• We’re providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained.

We’re making a difference, be part of it!

To view the full job description, please click this link:Role Profile Principal Planning Officer