OR121071 – Planning Officer – Planning

Sefton MBC; Sefton; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Carrington Blake Recruitment is seeking a Planning Officer to manage a varied caseload of planning applications in Sefton. You will interpret national and local policies, prepare reports and provide professional planning advice to developers, residents and stakeholders.

The role includes handling enforcement, appeals, committee involvement, and contributing to regeneration objectives, with a hybrid pattern: 4 days remote and 1 day in the office, 36 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Qualification in Town Planning or relevant discipline.
• Experience in customer service within a Development Management Planning Service.
• Knowledge of national planning policies and statutory procedures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage planning applications and ensure timely, well-informed decisions.
• Apply planning policy and statutory procedures to caseload.
• Prepare planning reports, recommendations and appeal statements.
• Provide professional planning advice to developers, residents and stakeholders.
• Investigate enforcement and breaches of planning control.
• Attend planning committees and engage with stakeholders.
• Support regeneration projects and junior team members.

Skills

Written and verbal communication

Analytical and numeracy skills

IT skills for planning reports

Professional development mindset

Education

Town Planning degree or relevant discipline

Geography/Urban/Spatial Planning with focus

Job description

Work pattern: 4 days remote, 1 day in the office, 36 hours per week

PAYE Pay Rate: £22.44 per hour

Main Purpose of the Role

To manage a varied caseload of planning applications and development management matters, ensuring decisions are made efficiently and in line with planning legislation and national and local policies.

The role involves supporting sustainable development across Sefton, providing professional planning advice, handling enforcement matters and contributing to the Council’s regeneration and development objectives.

Typical Day Overview

• Manage and assess a busy caseload of planning applications.
• Review development proposals against planning policies and legislation.
• Prepare planning reports and recommendations for approval or refusal.
• Provide planning advice to developers, residents and other stakeholders.
• Deal with planning appeals, enforcement issues and breaches of planning control.
• Attend planning committees, meetings and stakeholder discussions.
• Support regeneration projects and the development of planning policies.
• Provide guidance and support to junior planning colleagues where required.

Key Skills & Responsibilities

• Development Management: Manage planning applications and ensure timely, well-informed decisions.
• Planning Legislation: Apply knowledge of national planning policies, statutory procedures and local planning policies.
• Caseload Management: Handle a busy workload covering applications, appeals, enforcement and compliance.
• Report Writing: Prepare clear planning reports, recommendations and appeal statements.
• Customer Service: Provide professional advice and respond to enquiries, complaints and planning-related concerns.
• Enforcement: Investigate breaches of planning control and deal with compliance matters.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Work with developers, local communities, council departments and external agencies.
• Communication: Present planning recommendations and represent the service at planning committees and hearings.
• Team Support: Provide advice, guidance and training to junior members of the planning team.

Essential Qualifications & Requirements

• Qualification in Town Planning or a relevant discipline, such as Conservation, Urban Design, Spatial Planning or Geography with a planning focus.
• Alternatively, significant relevant experience working within a Town Planning role.
• Experience providing customer service within a Development Management Planning Service.
• Significant experience managing a busy Development Management caseload, including planning applications, enforcement, compliance and appeals.
• Knowledge of national planning policies and statutory procedures.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and numeracy skills.
• IT skills, including using software to assess planning applications and prepare reports.
• Positive attitude towards professional development and service delivery.