Principal Planning Officer

Carrington West; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote / Hybrid

Office attendance 1-2 days per week

Job summary

Carrington West is seeking a Principal Planner to join a busy Local Authority Development Management team on a remote/hybrid basis. The role involves managing a varied caseload of planning applications, from minor to major, and helping clear backlog while delivering high standards of customer service.

You will apply national planning procedures, attend planning committee meetings if required, and travel to sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in Development Management with minor and major planning applications.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload with minimal supervision.
• Sound knowledge of national planning legislation, procedures and policies.
• Experience delivering high levels of customer service and handling challenging interactions.
• Confidence making independent planning decisions and progressing applications without extensive supervision.
• Willingness to travel for site visits and attend committee meetings.

Responsibilities

• Manage and process a varied caseload of planning applications, from minor to major applications.
• Work through an existing backlog of applications, progressing cases efficiently and independently.
• Provide excellent customer service, dealing professionally with applicants and customers who may have experienced previous service delays.
• Apply national planning procedures accurately, alongside local Merton planning policies.
• Undertake site visits as required, with visits potentially arranged in batches.
• Work flexibly across either of the two Development Management area teams.
• Liaise with area team leaders, who will provide line management and sign off completed cases.
• Attend planning committee meetings on Thursday evenings if required.

Skills

Development Management

Customer service

Independent decisions

Travel flexibility

Job description

Principal Planner - Development Management

Remote / Hybrid (Office attendance preferred 1-2 days per week)

£50 per hour (Umbrella)

35 hours per week

Job Ref - 70420

An excellent opportunity for an experienced Principal Planner to join a busy Local Authority Development Management team, supporting an ongoing service improvement programme and helping to clear a backlog of planning applications. You will manage a varied caseload of minor and major applications, delivering a high standard of customer service and helping improve the experience of applicants and stakeholders.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage and process a varied caseload of planning applications, from minor to major applications
• Work through an existing backlog of applications, progressing cases efficiently and independently
• Provide excellent customer service, dealing professionally with applicants and customers who may have experienced previous service delays
• Apply national planning procedures accurately, alongside local Merton planning policies
• Undertake site visits as required, with visits potentially arranged in batches
• Work flexibly across either of the two Development Management area teams
• Liaise with area team leaders, who will provide line management and sign off completed cases
• Attend planning committee meetings on Thursday evenings if required

Requirements:

• Strong experience in Development Management, handling both minor and major planning applications
• Ability to manage a varied caseload with minimal supervision
• Sound knowledge of national planning legislation, procedures and policies
• Experience delivering high levels of customer service and managing challenging customer interactions
• Confidence making independent planning decisions and progressing applications without extensive supervision
• Willingness to travel for site visits and attend committee meetings when required

Flexible remote/hybrid working is available, with a preference for 1-2 days per week in the office. Candidates must be willing to travel for site visits as required. Travel to the office, site visits and committee meetings will be at the candidate's own time and expense.