Principal Planning Officer - Ref: EE09825

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Walsall; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Walsall is seeking a Principal Planning Officer to lead major planning applications and support key regeneration projects. The ideal candidate will have a Post Graduate Diploma or Masters Degree in Town Planning and experience in handling complex applications. You’ll provide professional advice to various stakeholders and represent the council in public inquiries. This role offers flexible working hours, pension scheme membership, and generous leave entitlements.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Blended working from office/home

Membership of Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave and flexi leave entitlement plus Bank Holidays

Qualifications

• Proven experience handling major/complex applications and delivering pre-application advice.
• Full driving licence (car mileage allowance applies).

Responsibilities

• Lead on significant and complex major planning applications, including enforcement matters and protected trees.
• Provide high-quality professional advice to developers and stakeholders.
• Represent the Council at appeals and Public Inquiries.

Skills

Excellent communication

Negotiation

Report‑writing skills

Ability to mentor and support team members

Education

Post Graduate Diploma or Masters Degree in Town Planning

Job description

Principal Planning Officer – Ref: EE09825

Location: Civic Centre, Walsall
Salary: (G10) £47,181 – £50,269
Service Area: Development Management
Special Conditions: Evening/out-of-hours meetings

This is an exciting time to join a multi award-winning council and a high-performing planning team, as Walsall undergoes a £1.5 billion regeneration programme that will transform the borough into a thriving destination.

As a Principal Planning Officer, you will play a key role in supporting these regeneration programmes and other significant developments, shaping proposals through effective pre-application advice and managing major planning applications through to determination.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on significant and complex major planning applications, including enforcement matters and protected trees.
• Determine applications under delegated powers and prepare Committee reports.
• Present reports at Planning Committee and attend public meetings as required.
• Provide high-quality professional advice to developers, agents, Councillors and stakeholders to support regeneration and major projects.
• Support and supervise Development Management officers, contributing to team development and performance.
• Represent the Council at appeals, Public Inquiries and enforcement proceedings.
• Contribute to policy development, service improvements and maintenance of accurate planning and enforcement records.
• Authorise householder and some minor planning applications.

About You

• A recognised Post Graduate Diploma or Masters Degree in Town Planning and Member of the RTPI or working towards accreditation.
• Proven experience handling major/complex applications and delivering pre-application advice.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and report‑writing skills.
• Ability to mentor and support team members.
• Full driving licence (car mileage allowance applies).

Why Join Us?

You’ll influence the delivery of transformational development across Walsall and help shape a forward thinking, customer focused planning service.

Benefits

• Flexible working hours
• Blended working from office/home
• Membership of Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave and flexi leave entitlement plus Bank Holidays

This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.

For further information please call Stephanie Hollands – Team Leader Development Management 01922 650696.

View: Job Description and Employee Specification

Closing Date: Tuesday 16th December 2025

Information for Applicants

Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them. See our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information.

We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting Agency applications or referrals at this time.