Principal Planner - Remote

Osborne Richardson; Essex; Hybrid; GBP 6,251,000 - 8,903,000; Full time

Job summary

Osborne Richardson are recruiting for a Principal Planning Officer on behalf of a local authority in Essex. The role focuses on managing a broad range of complex cases, negotiating S106 agreements and PPAs, and handling major applications including those for hundreds of units and a hotel.

You will present reports to planning committees, attend appeals, and act as a key contact for customers. This is largely remote with monthly site/meetings; initial 3-month contract with potential for extension.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in public sector planning
• Familiarity with Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) and S106 negotiations
• Ability to present reports to planning committees and at hearings

Responsibilities

• Manage a broad range of complex cases and pre-applications
• Negotiate S106 agreements and PPAs on major developments
• Prepare and present reports to Area/District Planning Committees
• Attend planning appeal hearings and public inquiries as required
• Act as single point of contact for customers across cases

Skills

Negotiation skills

PPAs

Public sector experience

Planning policy

Job description

Our client is a local authority that requires a Principal Planning Officer to carry out a key role in one of their district teams.

As Principal Planning Officer you will be tasked with managing a broad range of more complex cases and pre-applications with particular emphasis on larger developments including negotiating S106 agreements and Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs).

It will be your role to manage complex and/or contentious planning applications, processes and compliance, regulations and legislation, acting as the single point of contact for customers on those cases and attending appeals hearings and public inquiries as appropriate. The major applications will include major applications for circa 500 units, 400 units and 150 units and a hotel in the town centre.

On a regular basis you will prepare and present reports to Area Planning Committees, District Planning Committee, and other internal and external meetings and present evidence/stand as witness at planning appeal hearings and public inquiries.

This will predominantly be a remote working role, the team generally all go in about once a month. You will be expected to go in for relevant meetings and committee meetings.

We are looking for a well-established Principal Planning Officer who can demonstrate an extensive public sector focused CV. It is absolutely essential that you have previous experience of PPAs and you are confident in both your technical and your negotiation skills.

The role will initially be offered for 3 months, but it will be a long term rolling contract for the right person. Current contractors have been in post for at least 18 months. potential to extend significantly. The rate is £55/hr (umbrella).