Major Planning Applications Officer

The Planner Jobs Redactive Publishing Limited; Rickmansworth; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Free staff parking

Leisure and travel discounts

Professional memberships

Training & development

Job summary

Three Rivers District Council is seeking a Major Planning Applications Officer (Development Management) on an 18-month fixed-term contract, full-time. The role leads on and handles a caseload of major planning applications, including large-scale schemes and PPAs, with opportunities for committee involvement.

You will provide professional planning advice, negotiate with external agents, and represent the service at appeals, while working with a dedicated team at Three Rivers with flexible working

Qualifications

• Proven experience handling major planning applications.
• Ability to lead a diverse workload and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder liaison skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead on and manage a personal caseload of major planning applications.
• Provide professional planning advice and support on planning matters.
• Represent the service at appeals and participate in committee meetings.

Job description

Major Planning Applications Officer (Development Management)

18 Month Fixed Term Contract, Full Time

£48,744 - £51,987 per annum, plus essential car user allowance

Hours: Up to 37 hours per week. Requests for part-time or flexible working will be considered.

Office Location: Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire with flexibility to work at home working.

Closing Date: 4 October 2026

Overview

On the fringe of London, the District is experiencing significant development pressure, with a variety of planning applications. The District has an excellent built and natural environment, many Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings and major areas of Green Belt and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area has a diverse range of businesses and is a centre for the film industry with Warner Brothers at Leavesden forming part of a studio cluster along with nearby Elstree and Pinewood. We promote the highest standards of design through negotiation and pro-active work.

Following a recent increase in the receipt of major planning applications and associated work we are seeking additional capacity in the Development Management team. We are seeking an experienced planner to appoint as a Major Applications Officer (18 month FTC) at a senior level.

As a Major Planning Applications Officer you would be leading on and handling your own caseload of large planning applications. The authority deals with a range of complex and high-profile developments, including large-scale schemes delivered through PPAs. Successful candidates will have a proven track record in processing and determining major applications. Experience with greenfield and Green Belt sites is essential, with additional exposure to Inquiry/ appeal proceedings highly desirable. You will provide professional advice and support on all planning matters and have a key role in the delivery of major development in the area including overseeing more significant projects including the Council’s own property development. Representing the service at appeals is expected. The role will also involve committee attendance and stakeholder engagement.

The role offers an ideal opportunity to take your career to the next stage with a forward-looking authority that has an excellent track record of improvements and commitment to learning. We have a diverse and exciting workload and are a friendly and dedicated team.

Skills and Experience

The role will require strong verbal, written and presentation skills and candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability and initiative to handle a diverse and competing workload and work to tight deadlines. Good interpersonal and management skills will also be necessary, as will be liaising and negotiating with the public, external agents and organisations, Council Members and other Council departments.

You must possess a clean driving licence and have daily access to personal transport.

What we offer

• up to 29 days’ annual leave (increasing to 31 days with 5 years’ service)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• free staff parking
• leisure and travel discounts
• consideration will be given for paid professional membership subscriptions and development and future training opportunities

You must possess a clean driving licence and have daily access to personal transport.

A basic DBS check will be carried out for this post.

Three Rivers District Council’s corporate vision is that the district be a great place to live, work and visit. That vision is one we hold for everyone. The council is dedicated to the promotion of equality of opportunity and to removing any discrimination in service delivery, procurement, employment and improving access to services for all residents.

Three Rivers District Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Three Rivers District Council on 1 April 2028, It is expected that the majority of roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings - Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better.

To find out more, visit https://www.local.gov.uk/topics/devolution/devolution-hub/local-government-reorganisation-lgr

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