Principal Planning Officer

Job Description

Role Purpose

• Support the effective renewal and regeneration of the London Borough of Harrow
• To lead the preparation and management of planning performance agreements and pre-application discussions for strategic development proposals.
• To manage a caseload of strategic planning applications delivering significant levels of investment within the Borough and make recommendations to Planning Committee.

Role Dimensions

• Supervision of projects as required.
• Training and mentoring of junior staff.
• Support the efficient management of the annual workload of the Development Management teams, currently comprising Approximately 5,000 planning applications per annum, Approximately 100 appeals

Responsibilities

• Instruction of Planning Solicitors on enforcement and related matters.
• Dealing with general enquiries from elected Members, prospective developers and members of the public, on all development management and related matters.
• Liaison with and support for the Policy Section in the preparation, monitoring and review of the Local Development Framework.
• Liaison with the Councils Landscape Group in the preparation of Tree Preservation Orders and cases concerning the felling, lopping or topping of trees under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and associated legislation.
• Represent, as required, the Development Management Service at meetings with other Services, Groups and Council Departments, government departments, statutory bodies, developers, community and other groups, and the general public.
• The duties listed above are not exhaustive and may vary including requirements to undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the grade and level of post.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of current Development Management practice, procedures and legislation.
• ICT knowledge and aptitude
• Use of specialist planning software
• Recent experience of Development Management dealing with more complex planning applications and appeals
• Experience of committee presentations
• Staff management and development
• Experience of managing planning applications in project managed environments

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or professional qualification in a relevant Town Planning discipline.
• Chartered Member of the RTPI or equivalent professional body
• Evidence of continuous professional development