Planning Officer

RG Setsquare; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Competitive rate

Contract extension possible

Service improvement programme exposure

Collaborative planning team

Job summary

RG Setsquare is seeking an experienced Planning Officer to support the Development Management service in London. The role focuses on managing backlog and live planning applications, with a hybrid working pattern and a competitive hourly rate.

The successful candidate will have strong DM experience, a solid understanding of UK planning legislation, and the ability to produce high-quality reports while handling a high-volume caseload. RTPI membership or eligibility is desirable but not essential.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in local authority development management
• Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation and policy
• Experience drafting high-quality officer reports and recommendations
• Ability to manage multiple cases autonomously with good communication

Responsibilities

• Manage backlog and live planning applications
• Assess minor and householder applications and handle complex cases as appropriate
• Prepare delegated reports and recommendations
• Liaise with applicants, agents, consultees, councillors and the public
• Carry out site visits as required
• Ensure determinations comply with planning legislation and policy
• Contribute to backlog reduction and performance targets

Skills

DM experience

Planning law

Officer reports

High-volume caseload

Communication

RTPI eligible

Job description

Planning Officer - Development Management

£30ph plus | Contract Opportunity | Hybrid Working | London

A Local Authority in London is seeking an experienced Planning Officer to support its Development Management service in tackling a significant backlog of planning applications.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated planner with strong Development Management experience to join a busy planning team and make an immediate impact. The successful candidate will manage a varied caseload of planning applications, helping to improve decision‑making timescales and support service performance objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing a caseload of backlog and live planning applications.
• Assessing a range of minor and householder applications, with the opportunity to handle more complex cases depending on experience.
• Preparing delegated reports and recommendations.
• Liaising with applicants, agents, consultees, councillors and members of the public.
• Undertaking site visits where required.
• Ensuring applications are determined in accordance with relevant planning legislation and policy.
• Contributing to the authority's backlog reduction programme and performance targets.

About You

To be considered, candidates should have:

• Previous experience within a Local Authority Development Management team.
• A strong understanding of UK planning legislation and policy.
• Experience preparing high-quality officer reports and recommendations.
• The ability to manage a high-volume caseload and work autonomously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• RTPI membership or eligibility is desirable but not essential.

What's on Offer

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Competitive hourly rate.
• Long-term extension to contract possible.
• Opportunity to contribute to a high-profile service improvement programme.
• Supportive and collaborative planning team environment.