Principal Planning Officer

The Planner Jobs Redactive Publishing Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The Planner Jobs Redactive Publishing Limited is seeking a Principal Planner for a Local Authority Development Management team. The role supports an ongoing service improvement programme, manages a backlog of planning applications, and delivers high customer service while coordinating with area teams.

The position is remote/hybrid with preferred office attendance 1–2 days per week, 35 hours per week, and requires travel for site visits and committee meetings as needed.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Development Management for planning applications.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload with minimal supervision.
• Strong knowledge of national planning legislation and local policies.
• Proven customer service skills and ability to handle difficult interactions.
• Capable of making independent planning decisions.
• Willingness to travel for site visits and meetings.

Responsibilities

• Manage and process a varied caseload of planning applications, from minor to major.
• Progress backlog applications efficiently and independently.
• Provide excellent customer service to applicants and customers.
• Apply national procedures alongside local policies.
• Undertake site visits as required, possibly in batches.
• Work flexibly across Development Management area teams.
• Liaise with area team leaders and sign off completed cases.
• Attend planning committee meetings on Thursday evenings if required.

Skills

Development Management

Customer service

Independent decision-making

Travel willingness

Policy knowledge

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.