Principal Planning Officer – EK

Telford and Wrekin Council; Shrewsbury; Hybrid; GBP 62,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Telford & Wrekin Council is seeking an experienced Principal Planning Officer to join the Development Management team on a temporary maternity cover basis. The role is hybrid, with office attendance required for the weekly team meeting and flexibility to work remotely on other days.

You will manage major and complex planning applications, lead multidisciplinary project teams, and negotiate planning obligations to secure infrastructure and community benefits.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in Town Planning or RTPI-accredited equivalent.
• Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
• Extensive experience in Development Management, preferably in a Local Authority.
• Proven track record in managing major and complex planning applications, including large-scale residential developments.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of major, complex and strategic planning applications.
• Assess and determine planning applications with detailed reports and recommendations.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams and coordinate deliverables.
• Negotiate amendments, conditions and Section 106 agreements to secure infrastructure and community benefits.
• Represent the Council at Planning Committee, inquiries and appeals where required.
• Prepare appeal statements and supporting documentation.
• Contribute to planning policy and guidance.
• Support planning officers and ensure delivery of Development Management services.

Skills

Town Planning

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Project management

Education

Postgraduate Town Planning

MRTPI (Chartered MRTPI)

Job description

Principal Planning Officer

Telford & Wrekin Council | Southwater One, Telford
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract dates: 9 November 2026 – 12 February 2027
Rate: £45 per hour PAYE / £58 per hour Umbrella
IR35: Inside IR35
Working arrangement: Hybrid – office attendance required every Monday for the team meeting, with flexibility to work remotely on other days.

About the role

Telford & Wrekin Council is looking for an experienced Principal Planning Officer to join its Development Management team on a temporary basis, providing maternity cover.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planning professional to take responsibility for a varied caseload of major and complex planning applications, including strategic developments. You will play an important role in delivering high-quality planning decisions, supporting sustainable development and working closely with developers, landowners, elected members and external stakeholders.

You will manage applications from initial discussions through to determination, providing professional planning advice, negotiating solutions and ensuring that proposals comply with relevant planning legislation and local policies.

Key responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of major, complex and strategic planning applications, including large-scale residential developments.
• Assess and determine planning applications, preparing detailed reports and recommendations for delegated decisions and Planning Committee.
• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary project teams, ensuring applications progress efficiently and effectively.
• Negotiate planning amendments, conditions and Section 106 agreements to secure appropriate infrastructure and community benefits.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with developers, landowners, agents, statutory consultees, elected members and senior council officers.
• Manage competing priorities and stakeholder requirements across multiple developments and land interests.
• Provide professional planning advice and support throughout the application and pre-application process.
• Represent the Council at Planning Committee, planning appeals, public inquiries and formal hearings where required.
• Prepare appeal statements, evidence and supporting documentation.
• Contribute to planning policy, development management guidance and wider service improvements.
• Provide guidance and support to planning officers and contribute to the effective delivery of the Development Management service.

Essential requirements

The successful candidate will have:

• A recognised postgraduate qualification in Town Planning or an equivalent RTPI-accredited qualification.
• Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
• Extensive experience working within Development Management, ideally within a Local Authority.
• Proven experience managing major and complex planning applications, particularly developments involving 1,000+ residential units.
• Strong experience negotiating Section 106 agreements and planning conditions.
• Experience engaging with developers, landowners, elected members and senior stakeholders.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent knowledge of planning legislation, national planning policy and local planning frameworks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing planning reports and presenting recommendations.

Desirable experience

• Experience with large-scale strategic developments and complex landowner negotiations.
• Experience representing a Local Authority at planning appeals or public inquiries.
• Exposure to renewable energy developments, including solar farms, or agricultural developments such as poultry sheds.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a confident, experienced and solution-focused planning professional who can work independently, manage complex applications and build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

You should be a strong communicator, comfortable engaging with elected members and senior decision-makers, and able to balance competing interests while delivering sound planning outcomes.