Principal Planning Officer

Epping Forest District Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

The Development Management Team at Epping Forest District Council is seeking a Principal Planning Officer to lead the statutory planning service, handling complex planning applications and major development projects. The role is hybrid with one office day on Thursdays and involves negotiating proposals, preparing recommendations and presenting cases at Planning Committee and inquiries.

You will mentor junior staff, exercise delegated authority to decide applications, and work with developers,

Qualifications

• RTPI membership is required or eligible.
• You are an experienced planning professional.
• Ability to mentor junior staff and lead a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the Council's statutory planning functions.
• Manage a varied caseload of complex planning applications and major development projects.
• Negotiate planning proposals with applicants and stakeholders.
• Prepare recommendations on planning applications.
• Represent the Council at Planning Committees, public inquiries, hearings and other formal proceedings.
• Undertake delegated management responsibilities and authorise decisions where appropriate.
• Support and mentor junior colleagues and deliver a high-quality planning service.

Skills

Strong communication

Strong negotiation

Sound planning judgement

Relationship building

Education

RTPI membership or eligibility

Job description

The Development Management Team in the Planning Directorate at Epping Forest District Council needs a Principal Planning Officer to lead the statutory planning service. The work centres on complex planning applications and major development projects, including negotiating proposals, preparing recommendations and presenting cases at Planning Committee and inquiries. The post is hybrid with one office day on Thursdays, and includes mentoring junior staff and holding delegated authority to decide applications. Full RTPI membership, or eligibility for it, is required.

What the job involves

• Lead the delivery of the Council's statutory planning functions
• Manage a varied caseload of complex planning applications and major development projects
• Negotiate planning proposals with applicants and stakeholders
• Prepare recommendations on planning applications
• Work with applicants, stakeholders and elected Members to secure the best development outcomes
• Represent the Council at Planning Committees, public inquiries, hearings and other formal proceedings
• Undertake delegated management responsibilities
• Authorise planning decisions where appropriate
• Support and mentor junior colleagues
• Deliver a high-quality, consistent and responsive planning service within the Development Management Service
• Demonstrate sound planning judgement
• Build effective relationships with developers, investors, consultees, elected Members and local communities

What’s required

Registration & licences

• Member of, or eligible for, full RTPI membership

Experience

• Experienced planning professional

Skills & knowledge

• Strong communication skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Sound planning judgement
• Ability to build relationships with developers, investors, consultees, Members and communities

Other

• Commitment to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults

What’s offered

• Hybrid working with one office day a week (Thursday)