Principal Planner

Osborne Richardson; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Osborne Richardson is seeking a Principle Town Planner for an East London Local Authority. You will lead on pre-application advice, high-level planning applications, negotiations on complex proposals, and secure community infrastructure benefits via Section 106 agreements.

You will coordinate the planning appeal function, acting as the lead officer at Public Inquiries, hearings, and written representations, while mentoring junior colleagues in a welcoming team.

Qualifications

• Significant town planning experience in a local authority.
• Strong knowledge of statutory and policy planning frameworks.
• Minimum degree level; professional accreditation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead on pre-application advice and high-level planning applications.
• Negotiate complex proposals and secure Section 106 benefits.
• Coordinate planning appeals; represent the Council at inquiries, hearings, and written representations.
• Mentor junior officers within the Development Management team.

Skills

Town planning experience

Negotiation & Section 106

Mentoring juniors

Public inquiries / hearings

Spokesperson / communication

Education

Degree in Town Planning

Professional accreditation (RTPI/APA)

Job description

Our client is a Local Authority in East London which requires a Principle Town Planner to join their Development Management Team and lead on a series of planning applications.

You will be joining an experienced and welcoming team of officers to handle complex casework, mentor junior colleagues, and serve as an expert spokesperson for the Council.

You will lead on pre-application advice, high-level planning applications, and negotiations on complex proposals, securing tangible financial and community infrastructure benefits via Section 106 agreements. You will also coordinate the planning appeal function for the Development Management team, acting as the Council’s lead officer at Public Inquiries, hearings, and written representations.

To apply for this role you will need a significant amount of town planning work experience gained within a local authority context. A detailed knowledge of the statutory and policy framework within which planning decisions are made is absolutely essential as are formal qualifications; minimum to degree level and ideally with professional accreditation.

This contract will initially run until the end of March 2027 but there is potential for extension beyond this.

This role is inside IR35 and the rate is expected to be circa £50/hr Umbrella.

Our client offers a hybrid working arrangement which the manager will discuss with you at interview stage.