Principal Planner

Essex County Council; Braintree; On-site; GBP 140,515,000 - 169,445,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site role

Job summary

Braintree District Council is seeking a Principal Planner on a temporary basis for 6 months to lead strategic development management. The role operates on-site 1-2 days per fortnight and involves acting as Case Officer for major planning applications and appeals.

You will provide guidance to Planning Committee, prepare reports, and mentor junior planners while coordinating with the Housing Delivery and Growth Team leader to deliver council objectives.

Qualifications

• Planning degree or RTPI eligibility.
• Experience in strategic and major scale development management.
• Experience negotiating Section 106 agreements.
• Ability to prepare clear reports and present to committees.

Responsibilities

• Act as Case Officer for strategic and major planning applications and appeals.
• Provide advice to Planning Committee and assemble agendas.
• Attend Planning Committee meetings and present reports.
• Mentor and support other Planners.
• Implement Council plans through Development Management.
• Assess applications, conduct site visits, advise the public.

Skills

Strategic planning experience

Major planning applications

Committee report preparation

Mentoring junior planners

Site inspections

Policy interpretation

Public speaking

Driving licence

Education

Planning degree or RTPI eligibility

Job description

Principal Planner

Braintree District Council

Temporary, Full Time

£55.00 ph umbrella

Location: Braintree

Closing Date: 2nd October 2026

Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit a Principal Planner on a temporary basis for a period of 6 months. Please note role will be based on site 1-2 days per fortnight.

Job purpose

To act as Case Officer for strategic and major scale planning applications and appeals, including where Planning Performance Agreements are utilised.

Accountabilities

• To take responsibility as case officer for key strategic developments, including all the related project management; consultee and community liaison; Council Member interface and engagement of specialist consultancy as tasked by the Housing Delivery and Growth Team leader.
• The provision of advice to Planning Committee on all aspects of Development Management relating to planning applications for which you are the Case Officer; preparing Committee reports and recommendations and helping to assemble agendas.
• To attend Planning Committee meetings alongside the lead Officer and present reports and recommendations where you are the Case Officer.
• To mentor and support Planners who provide assistance to the role in the context of specific development proposals at pre-application, application and post-decision stages.
• The implementation of all aspects of the Council’s plans and policies through Development Management and through liaison with the Planning Policy team and other Council Services.
• To assess planning and related applications, discuss proposals with applicants, undertake site inspections and advise the public on proposals, as appropriate.
• To prepare evidence for appeals and represent the Council at Hearings and Public Inquiries if required.
• To represent the Development Management Service, as required, in the development of cross-Service corporate strategies and projects.

Skills, knowledge & experience

• Planning degree or equivalent qualification and eligibility for RTPI Membership
• Relevant experience in a range of strategic and major scale development management work with a planning authority, including appeals, reporting to Committee and other formal and informal meetings
• Experience of negotiating Section 106 agreements
• Experience in a range of Development Management (DM) work, including complex applications, appeals and providing pre application advice
• Understanding of Planning Law and national planning policies/guidance relating to DM
• Ability to interpret plans and understand related information
• Ability to prepare clear written reports/statements fit for the relevant audience
• Ability to present reports to public/member meetings
• Ability to work to plan own workload and meet concise deadlines
• An awareness of the national planning policy perspective
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Current UK Driving Licence and access to a car
• Good knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities

Why choose Braintree District Council?

The Development Management Team at Braintree District Council is a great place to work. This role is needed to add additional capacity to the existing team rather than to backfill a vacancy and is reflective of the increasing quantity of exciting strategic scale work which the team is accommodating. The team at Braintree is a friendly, approachable and well established team with a positive approach and a high level of professional pride.