Principal Planning Officer - Development Management

Civic Recruitment Limited; Hambleton; On-site; GBP 57,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working Arrangement

Site visits across the authority area

Major residential development caseload

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is recruiting a seasoned Principal Planning Officer to join the Local Authority Development Management team in Northallerton for a 2-month contract. The role covers major residential schemes and complex planning applications, with leadership responsibilities and site visits across the region.

The successful candidate will mentor colleagues, present at Planning Committees, and contribute to delivering high-quality development management services within the authority.

Qualifications

• Degree, Postgraduate Qualification, or Master’s in Planning or a related field.
• Extensive Development Management experience within a Local Authority setting.
• Proven experience managing major residential planning applications (100+ units).
• Knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and development management procedures.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a portfolio of major and complex planning applications and related appeals.
• Lead initiatives on large-scale residential and strategic development sites.
• Provide expert planning advice to officers, councillors, applicants, agents, developers and stakeholders.

Skills

Development Management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Report writing

Site visits

Education

Degree in Planning

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Principal Planning Officer - Development Management - 2 Month Contract

Local Authority | 2 Month Contract

Location: Northallerton

Rate: £50.00 per hour (Inside IR35)

Contract: 2 Month Contract

Hours: Full Time

Working Pattern: 1 Day Per Week Office-Based | Site Visits Required

Pay: Bi-Weekly

Summary

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a seasoned Principal Planning Officer to join our dynamic Local Authority Development Management team. The role is ideal for professionals with a proven track record in overseeing multiple large-scale residential projects, each comprising 100+ units, as well as handling intricate planning applications and appeals. The successful candidate will manage a diverse portfolio of significant planning applications, provide expert leadership, mentor team members, and contribute to delivering a top-tier development management service. This position requires office attendance one day a week and includes conducting site visits throughout the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee a portfolio of major and complex planning applications and related appeals.
  
• Lead initiatives on large-scale residential and strategic development sites.
  
• Offer expert planning advice to officers, councillors, applicants, agents, developers, and stakeholders.
  
• Manage major development proposals through the planning process.
  
• Draft comprehensive planning reports, recommendations, and committee documents.
  
• Present applications at Planning Committees.
  
• Conduct site inspections, meetings, and committee site visits.
  
• Negotiate planning obligations, including Section 106 Agreements and Community Infrastructure Levy contributions.
  
• Prepare appeal statements, proofs of evidence, and statements of common ground.
  
• Represent the Local Authority at Hearings, Public Inquiries, and related proceedings.
  
• Approve decisions prepared by other team members.
  
• Act as a deputy for Development Managers and Team Leaders when necessary.
  
• Mentor and support less experienced planning officers.
  
• Address complaints, inquiries, and Ombudsman investigations as needed.
  
• Contribute to service enhancements and performance target achievements.
  
• Assist with Freedom of Information requests and planning-related correspondence.
  

Essential

Requirements

Requirements:

• Degree, Postgraduate Qualification, or Master's Degree in Planning or a related field.
  
• Extensive Development Management experience within a Local Authority setting.
  
• Proven experience in managing major residential planning applications, ideally projects of 100+ units.
  
• In-depth knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and development management procedures.
  
• Experience in handling planning appeals and complex planning casework.
  
• Proficiency in negotiating planning outcomes and developer contributions.
  
• Experience in presenting applications at Planning Committees.
  
• Strong report-writing and communication skills.
  
• Ability to independently manage a demanding and varied caseload.
  
• Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
  
• Capability to conduct site visits and travel across the area.
  
• Proficient IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
  

Desirable

• Chartered RTPI Membership (MRTPI).
  
• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience.
  
• Experience presenting evidence at Public Inquiries.
  
• Experience working within large and politically sensitive Local Authority environments.
  
• Experience in coaching and mentoring junior planning staff.
  

Additional

• Office attendance required one day per week.
  
• Site visits required across the authority area.
  
• Attendance at evening Planning Committees may be necessary.
  
• Politically restricted post.
  
• Opportunity to work on a wide range of major and strategic developments.
  

What's on Offer?

• £50.00 per hour (Inside IR35)
  
• 2 Month Contract
  
• Bi-Weekly Pay
  
• Major Applications and Strategic Development Caseload
  
• Flexible Working Arrangement
  
• Opportunity to work on significant residential development schemes
  
• Supportive Development Management Team
  
• Potential Contract Extension
  

This role is ideal for candidates with experience as a Principal Planning Officer, Senior Planning Officer, Major Applications Officer, Development Management Officer, Principal Planner, Planning Team Leader, Planning Manager, Development Control Officer, or Strategic Planning Officer.

Requirements
Essential Requirements Requirements: Degree, Postgraduate Qualification, or Master's Degree in Planning or a related discipline. Significant Development Management experience within a Local Authority environment. Experience managing major residential planning applications, ideally schemes of 100+ units. Excellent knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and development management procedures. Experience handling planning appeals and complex planning casework. Ability to negotiate planning outcomes and developer contributions. Experience presenting applications at Planning Committees. Strong report-writing and communication skills. Ability to manage a demanding and varied caseload independently. Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills. Ability to undertake site visits and travel across the area. Good IT skills including Microsoft Office applications. Desirable Chartered RTPI Membership (MRTPI). Previous supervisory or team leadership experience. Experience presenting evidence at Public Inquiries. Experience working within large and politically sensitive Local Authority environments. Experience coaching and mentoring junior planning staff. Additional Office attendance required one day per week. Site visits required across the authority area. Attendance at evening Planning Committees may be required. Politically restricted post. Opportunity to work on a wide range of major and strategic developments. What's on Offer? £50.00 per hour (Inside IR35) 2 Month Contract Bi-Weekly Pay Major Applications and Strategic Development Caseload Flexible Working Arrangement Opportunity to work on significant residential development schemes Supportive Development Management Team Potential Contract Extension Ideal for candidates with experience as a Principal Planning Officer, Senior Planning Officer, Major Applications Officer, Development Management Officer, Principal Planner, Planning Team Leader, Planning Manager, Development Control Officer, or Strategic Planning Officer.