Planning Liaison Officer

Pertemps Newcastle; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Pertemps are partnering with Essex and Suffolk Water to recruit a Local Planning Liaison Officer in Chelmsford for a 6-12 month fixed-term contract. You will act as a key decision maker in planning consultations, protecting water assets and ensuring sustainable development across the region.

The role requires a driving licence, RTPI-accredited qualification (degree level or above), and the ability to work independently or in a small team, with a strong customer service and negotiation skillset.

Qualifications

• Full and valid UK driving licence.
• RTPI-accredited qualification (degree level or above) or equivalent.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a small team.
• Flexible, well-organised, and able to prioritise a varied workload.
• Strong customer service approach with excellent communication and negotiation skills (written and verbal).
• Understanding of the water industry and relevant legislation (desirable).
• Knowledge of planning law relevant to the water sector (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Achieve agreed personal and team targets.
• Prepare responses to local planning authority consultations, including planning applications and development plans, in collaboration with internal teams.
• Review and determine planning application and strategic policy consultations to safeguard water assets within agreed timescales.
• Provide planning technical support to senior managers on complex applications and strategic policy matters.
• Meet with developers and local authority officers, managing expectations in line with company policies and operational requirements.
• Ensure all planning consultation activity is accurately recorded on corporate systems.
• Prepare written reports as required by the Demand Planning Team Manager.
• Maintain PPE in good working order and follow all relevant safety and risk management procedures.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Education

RTPI-accredited qualification (degree level or above) or equivalent

Job description

This full-time temporary Planning Liaison Officer post in Chelmsford, Essex, runs for six to twelve months, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, paying £19.75 to £23.24 hourly. Working with Essex and Suffolk Water, the successful candidate acts as a key decision maker within the planning consultation process, supporting internal teams while engaging local authorities and developers. Duties centre on protecting essential water assets, infrastructure and operational requirements, ensuring these are represented throughout development proposals and that sustainable growth across the region is supported. Applicants should demonstrate strong communication and negotiation abilities, sound knowledge of the planning system, and confidence in building productive relationships with external partners and stakeholders.

Local Planning Liaison Officer Chelmsford- East Hanningfield 6-12 Month Fixed-Term Contract Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Pertemps are proud to be working in partnership with Essex and Suffolk Water to recruit a Local Planning Liaison Officer on a 6-12 month fixed-term contract. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated planning professional to play a key role in ensuring the protection of essential water assets while supporting sustainable development across the region.

About the Role

As a Local Planning Liaison Officer, you will act as a key decision maker in the planning consultation process, supporting internal teams and engaging with local authorities and developers. Your work will ensure that Essex and Suffolk Water's assets, infrastructure, and operational needs are represented and protected within planning applications and policy development.

Key Responsibilities

• Achieve agreed personal and team targets
• Prepare responses to local planning authority consultations, including planning applications and development plans, in collaboration with internal teams
• Review and determine planning application and strategic policy consultations to safeguard water assets within agreed timescales
• Provide planning technical support to senior managers on complex applications and strategic policy matters
• Meet with developers and local authority officers, managing expectations in line with company policies and operational requirements
• Ensure all planning consultation activity is accurately recorded on corporate systems
• Prepare written reports as required by the Demand Planning Team Manager
• Maintain PPE in good working order and follow all relevant safety and risk management procedures

About You

• Full and valid UK driving licence
• RTPI-accredited qualification (degree level or above) or equivalent
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a small team
• Flexible, well-organised, and able to prioritise a varied workload
• Strong customer service approach with excellent communication and negotiation skills (written and verbal)
• Understanding of the water industry and relevant legislation (desirable)
• Knowledge of planning law relevant to the water sector (desirable)

If you are a proactive planning professional looking to contribute to essential infrastructure protection and strategic planning across Essex and Suffolk, we want to hear from you.