Planning Liaison Officer

Pertemps Bond; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex and Suffolk Water is seeking a Local Planning Liaison Officer to support sustainable development while protecting essential water assets. The role involves representing the company's planning needs in applications and policy development, coordinating with internal teams and local authorities, and delivering robust responses within agreed timescales.

You will need an RTPI-accredited qualification, a full UK driving licence, and strong communication/negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• RTPI-accredited qualification is essential.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Ability to work independently and in a small team.
• Flexible, well-organised with the ability to prioritise a varied workload.
• Strong customer service approach with excellent communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• 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

Planning experience

Communication

Negotiation

Independent work

Organised

Customer service

Education

RTPI accredited

Job description

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)