Principal Planning Officer

Guidant Global; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent planning consultancy in the Greater London area seeks an experienced professional to supervise a team managing planning applications and enforcement matters. The ideal candidate will have significant planning experience, a degree in town planning, and hold relevant memberships. Responsibilities include supervising staff, inspecting proposals, advising on permissions, and representing the organization at hearings. This position offers opportunities for professional development and a collaborative working environment.

Qualifications

• A degree in town planning or equivalent is required.
• Licentiate membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute or equivalent is a prerequisite.
• Chartered membership eligibility is required and evidence of professional development.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and train planning officers.
• Inspect plans and assess development proposals.
• Advise applicants on planning permissions.
• Draft reports for planning committees.
• Represent the council at inquiries and hearings.

Skills

Significant planning experience

Excellent knowledge of current planning legislation

Effective communication skills

Ability to deliver presentations

Concise report writing

Education

Degree in town planning or equivalent

Licentiate membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute

Chartered membership (or eligibility)

Job description

Job Purpose

• Supervising a team of senior and planning officers dealing with a wide range of planning applications which could include strategic applications and / or enforcement matters and other related works. Researching, considering and reporting on the full range of applications, development proposals and enforcement matters including major developments, under the Planning Acts and related legislation.
• Preparing appeal statements and / or witness statements, appearing at public inquiries / hearings and / or Court and answering enquiries from applicants, their agents and other customers in relation to planning matters, advising other departments as required.
• Preparing for and attending planning committees. Attending resident and other stakeholder meetings when required. Deputising for the team leader in their absence.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervision and training of planning and planning enforcement officers within a team
• Inspecting plans, carrying out site visits and assessing development proposals and possible breaches of planning control, including monitoring
• Providing advice to applicants and other customers, including on whether permission / consent is likely to be granted and how schemes may be altered so permission / consent may be granted, and negotiating complex planning applications and enforcement matters (often with a gross value of many millions of pounds and negotiating significant financial contributions through legal agreements such as under s106), considering alternatives and recommending the most appropriate course of action
• Advising third parties about planning matters and the scope of planning control
• Maintaining notes of site visits, meetings and records of actions
• Drafting reports and recommending whether applications are granted or refused and whether enforcement action should be taken for submission to planning committee or for decision by the Director, Head of Development Management or Team Leader.
• Preparing statements and other materials for appeals and prosecutions for agreement by the Team Leader and / or Head of Development Management, and to appear as the Council's representative at inquiries, hearings and court.
• Representing the Development Management service at relevant planning committees including drafting and checking reports and agenda papers and attending pre-committee briefings as required with the Committee chair and other officers.
• Keeping applicants, complainants, colleagues, councillors and others informed of the position of current cases and to share knowledge where necessary.
• Checking applications for validation as part of providing a joined up service to applicants, giving the necessary advice to applicants and maintaining appropriate records.
• Assisting in the Customer Service Centre and ensuring the highest levels of customer service.

Qualifications

• A degree in town planning or equivalent
• Licentiate membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent)
• Evidence of relevant continuous professional development
• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent) or eligibility for chartered membership and evidence of relevant continuous professional development

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Significant planning experience, some of which should have been gained in a development management (including planning enforcement) environment
• Excellent working knowledge of current planning legislation and practice
• Able to communicate clearly and articulately with the spoken word
• Able to give both informal and formal presentations and confident in communicating with a wide range of people at all levels
• Able to construct concise, articulate reports presenting arguments clearly and persuasively