Principal Planning Officer

Job Title: Principal Planning Officer

Location: West Midlands based LPA – will confirm council upon application

Contract duration: Rolling 6 months – scope for extensions

Start date: 2/3 weeks time

Rate: £50-55p/h Umbrella

Requirements: Minimum of 4 years PQE – ideally local authority based submitting major applications

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage Major Applications: Lead the assessment and processing of major planning applications, ensuring timely decision-making in accordance with legal and policy requirements.
• Casework and Development Management: Provide professional advice on complex planning applications, including large-scale residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments.
• Policy Implementation and Advice: Offer expert guidance on the interpretation and implementation of planning policies, local development plans, and other relevant planning documents.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with key stakeholders, including developers, consultees, statutory bodies, and the public, to ensure the smooth progress of planning applications.
• Negotiation and Planning Conditions: Lead negotiations on planning applications to secure improvements to proposals and ensure compliance with planning conditions and obligations, including Section 106 agreements.
• Team Leadership and Development: Supervise and mentor junior planning officers, providing guidance and support in their professional development.
• Planning Committee Reports: Prepare reports for planning committee meetings, making recommendations on major applications and representing the council at committee as required.
• Policy Review and Development: Contribute to the development and review of local planning policies, providing expert advice to inform the council’s strategic planning objectives.
• Legal Compliance: Ensure that all planning decisions comply with relevant legislation, planning law, and council procedures.
• Project Management: Lead on specific planning projects or initiatives as directed by senior management, ensuring that targets and deadlines are met.

Key Skills and Experience:

• Chartered Town Planner with membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or equivalent.
• Significant experience in planning, particularly in handling major planning applications and complex development proposals.
• Extensive knowledge of the UK planning system, development management processes, and relevant legislation.
• Proven ability to negotiate effectively with developers, consultees, and stakeholders to secure high-quality development outcomes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write clear and concise reports and present evidence at planning committees.
• Demonstrable experience of managing projects and leading teams within a planning environment.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and manage multiple complex cases simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound, balanced decisions based on planning principles and legal frameworks.
• A customer-focused approach to service delivery and a commitment to achieving sustainable development outcomes.

Desirable:

• Experience in working within a local authority planning department.
• Knowledge of the local area and its development priorities.
• Experience in using planning software systems and geographical information systems (GIS).

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV through this job advert on Linkedin or for a confidential chat about your next move or the interim market in general feel free to drop me a message, call me on 01489 533093 or email on Lewis.woodford@sartothomas.com.

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