Principal Planning Officer

Pertemps London; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Pertemps London is seeking an experienced Principal Planning Officer to lead major planning applications and development proposals within a busy London authority. You will oversee pre‑application work, coordinate appeals, and provide professional leadership to junior staff.

The role requires a postgraduate Town Planning qualification and RTPI membership (or eligibility), with strong knowledge of planning policy, procedures, and report writing.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in Town Planning.
• RTPI Membership is essential.
• Significant Development Management experience, ideally within a local authority setting.
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and planning appeal procedures.
• Experience handling complex applications within a metropolitan or inner-city environment.
• Excellent report writing, negotiation, stakeholder management, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently whilst supporting wider team objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead on complex and major planning applications, pre-application enquiries, and development proposals.
• Negotiate and secure planning obligations, including Section 106 Agreements.
• Coordinate the planning appeals process and represent the authority at Public Inquiries, Hearings, and Informal Hearings.
• Prepare and present reports to Planning Committee and senior stakeholders.
• Provide mentoring, technical guidance, and support to junior planning officers.
• Build effective relationships with developers, elected members, residents, and external stakeholders.
• Support service improvements and contribute to achieving planning performance targets.

Skills

Planning expertise

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Report writing

Presentation skills

Independent worker

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Town Planning

RTPI Membership (or eligibility)

Job description

Principal Planning Officer

London | Hybrid Working | £279 per day Umbrella | 5-Month Contract

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Principal Planning Officer to join a highly regarded London local authority on an initial 5-month contract.

Working within a busy Development Management team, you will play a leading role in shaping sustainable growth across a complex urban environment, managing major planning applications, coordinating appeals, and providing professional leadership to junior planning staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on complex and major planning applications, pre-application enquiries, and development proposals.
• Negotiate and secure planning obligations, including Section 106 Agreements.
• Coordinate the planning appeals process and represent the authority at Public Inquiries, Hearings, and Informal Hearings.
• Prepare and present reports to Planning Committee and senior stakeholders.
• Provide mentoring, technical guidance, and support to junior planning officers.
• Build effective relationships with developers, elected members, residents, and external stakeholders.
• Support service improvements and contribute to achieving planning performance targets.

About You

• Postgraduate qualification in Town Planning.
• RTPI-Membership (or eligibility for membership) is essential.
• Significant Development Management experience, ideally within a local authority setting.
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and planning appeal procedures.
• Experience handling complex applications within a metropolitan or inner-city environment.
• Excellent report writing, negotiation, stakeholder management, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently whilst supporting wider team objectives.

Contract Details

• £279 per day Umbrella
• 5-Month Initial Contract
• Hybrid Working
• London-Based Local Authority

This role would suit an experienced Senior or Principal Planning Officer looking to make an immediate impact within a dynamic and ambitious planning service.

Principal Planning Officer | Senior Planning Officer | Development Management | RTPI | Town Planning | Planning Applications | Major Applications | Planning Appeals | Section 106 | S106 Agreements | Planning Committee | Public Inquiry | Urban Regeneration | Housing Delivery | Mixed-Use Development | Local Authority Planning | Stakeholder Engagement | Development Management Officer | Planning Law | Planning Policy | Strategic Planning | Place Shaping