Planning Officer

North Northamptonshire Council; Thrapston; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

North Northamptonshire Council is seeking a Planning Officer to support and lead on planning projects across planning policy, development management and enforcement. You will develop planning policies, guidance and evidence to influence growth, help manage applications and appeals, and provide expert advice to customers and colleagues.

The role involves stakeholder engagement, data analysis and contributing to Local Plan documents.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification to allow future access to Chartered membership of the RTPI.
• Demonstration of a Personal Development Plan towards Chartered Membership.
• Conversant with policy documents, plans, maps and architectural drawings.
• Understanding of the English Planning System.
• Experience of using computer databases and Microsoft packages (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Good organisational and report writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Support senior planning officers and managers in delivering Planning Service objectives.
• Provide excellent customer service and respond to planning-related enquiries.
• Contribute to service improvements, process reviews and system enhancements.
• Produce accurate, high-quality work within agreed timescales.
• Attend evening and weekend meetings, committees and public consultation events.
• Validate planning applications and process planning submissions.

Skills

Good organisational skills

Report writing skills

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent qualification for RTPI Chartered membership

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Shape Places, Influence Communities, Deliver Positive Change

Join a dynamic Planning Service where you'll play a key role in shaping the future of North Northamptonshire. Working across Planning Policy, Development Management and Enforcement, you will lead and support a range of planning projects, helping to develop planning policies, guidance and evidence that influence how the area grows and develops. Alongside this, you will manage planning applications and appeals, provide expert advice to customers and colleagues, and investigate breaches of planning control, taking appropriate enforcement action where required. This varied role offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on local communities by supporting sustainable development, protecting environmental quality and ensuring a fair, effective and trusted planning system.

What will you be doing?

• Support senior planning officers and managers in delivering Planning Service objectives.
• Provide excellent customer service and respond to planning-related enquiries.
• Contribute to service improvements, process reviews and system enhancements.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of planning legislation, policies and best practice.
• Produce accurate, high-quality work within agreed timescales.
• Attend evening and weekend meetings, committees and public consultation events.
• Assist in developing planning policies, design guidance and Local Plan documents.
• Undertake research and gather evidence to support policy development and place-shaping initiatives.
• Engage with communities, stakeholders and partners through consultations and public events.
• Analyse planning data, monitor trends and maintain planning databases and monitoring systems.
• Provide planning policy advice on applications, corporate projects and infrastructure planning.
• Prepare reports, statements and evidence for planning appeals, examinations and legal proceedings.
• Support the procurement and management of specialist planning consultants.
• Help develop and utilise planning technology, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Validate planning applications and process planning submissions.
• Manage a caseload of planning applications and planning enforcement investigations.
• Conduct site visits, consultations and assessments, making recommendations in line with planning policy.
• Prepare and present reports for Planning Committee meetings.
• Negotiate improvements to development proposals.
• Advise applicants, developers, residents and stakeholders on planning matters.
• Work collaboratively with internal departments and external organisations to achieve positive planning outcomes.
• Represent the Council at hearings, inquiries and court proceedings where required.
• Assist with complaints handling and support investigations undertaken by the Local Government Ombudsman.

About you

• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification to allow future access to Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent).
• Demonstration of a Personal Development Plan that explains a commitment via Licentiate, Associate or the Experienced Practitioner route, to achieving Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent).
• Conversant with policy documents, plans, maps and architectural drawings.
• Understanding of the English Planning System.
• Experience of using computer databases, and Microsoft packages such as PowerPoint, Excel, Word and Outlook
• Report writing skills
• Good organisational skills
• Able to travel independently to multiple sites across the Council’s administrative area to undertake site visits on a frequent basis (3-5 times a week), or further away to attend meetings and events on behalf of the Council. For example, the ability to drive with access to own transport.
• The ability to carry out site visits or investigations on a variety of outdoor door locations including domestic properties, overgrown site with uneven ground conditions, and building sites