Planning Officer

The Barbican; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Competitive hourly rate

Long-term extension potential

Service improvement projects

Job summary

The Barbican in London is seeking an experienced Planning Officer to support its Development Management service by tackling a backlog of planning applications and improving decision timescales. You will manage a varied caseload, assess minor and householder applications, prepare delegated reports, and liaise with applicants, consultees, councillors and the public as part of a busy planning team.

Flexible and hybrid working arrangements are offered, with an hourly rate and potential long-term

Qualifications

• Experience in Local Authority Development Management is essential.
• Strong understanding of UK planning legislation and policy.
• Experience preparing officer reports and recommendations.
• Ability to manage a high-volume caseload and work autonomously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Managing a caseload of backlog and live planning applications.
• Assessing minor and householder applications, with complex cases possible.
• Preparing delegated reports and recommendations.
• Liaising with applicants, agents, consultees, councillors and the public.
• Undertaking site visits where required.
• Ensuring applications are determined in line with planning legislation and policy.
• Contributing to backlog reduction and performance targets.

Skills

Planning experience

UK planning law knowledge

Report writing

Communication skills

Autonomy

Education

RTPI membership/eligibility (desirable)

Job description

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

If you're an experienced Development Management Planner available for your next contract opportunity and interested in helping a Local Authority address its planning backlog, we'd be keen to hear from you.

For further information or to discuss similar opportunities within the planning sector, please get in touch.