Principal Planner - DM

Osborne Richardson; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in South West London is seeking a Principal Planning Officer to manage complex planning applications and represent the Council at public inquiries. The role requires significant experience in strategic developments and a degree in town planning. Hybrid working is supported.

Qualifications

• Experience in local authority development management team.
• Supervisory experience in signing off delegated applications.

Responsibilities

• Manage major and complex planning applications.
• Prepare and present expert evidence at inquiries and hearings.
• Provide professional advice on planning applications.

Skills

Strategic Major Developments

Public Inquiry Representation

Professional Advice

Development Control

Education

Degree in Town Planning

Job description

Job Title: Principal Planning Officer

Our client, a local authority based in South West London, is seeking a Principal Planning Officer to join their Development Management team. Reporting to the Area Manager, you will take a lead role managing major and complex planning applications and addressing contentious development control issues. A primary focus will be work related to a Thames Water Project.

As a senior team member, you will represent the Council by preparing and presenting expert evidence at public inquiries, informal hearings, and in court. You will also regularly provide professional advice to Council members, senior officers, applicants, and the public regarding planning applications, development proposals, and related matters.

To succeed in this role, you must be a degree-qualified town planner with recent experience working within a local authority development management team. You should have significant experience with strategic major developments, including working on high-profile applications both pre-application and live cases. Supervisory experience, including signing off delegated applications, is essential. Ideally, you will have London-specific experience and a thorough understanding of current issues affecting planning, regeneration, and local government in London.

This position is initially a 12-week contract, with potential for extension. The rate offered is £50/hr inside IR35. Our client supports hybrid working arrangements.

Please contact us to request a copy of the Job Description (JD).