Principal Town Planner

CPR; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 69,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

London Local Authority is seeking an experienced Principal Town Planner to join its Strategic Applications Team on an interim basis, with a hybrid work setup and occasional attendance in East London for committee meetings and key sessions.

The role focuses on major and strategic planning applications, including large residential schemes, with responsibilities from submission through determination and planning obligations negotiations.

Qualifications

• Experience managing major/strategic planning applications from submission through to determination.
• Experience with complex developments, committee reports and S106 agreements.
• 4–5+ years planning experience.
• London Borough experience desirable.
• Ability to manage own caseload independently.
• Public inquiry or planning hearing experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead submission-to-determination for major/strategic planning applications.
• Prepare committee reports and negotiate planning obligations (S106).
• Manage own caseload independently with minimal supervision.
• Attend committee meetings and hearings as required (occasional in East London).

Skills

Major planning

S106 agreements

Committee reports

Public inquiries

London Borough experience

Caseload ownership

Job description

Principal Town Planner - East London/Hybrid - £50–£60 per hour umbrella

A London Local Authority is seeking an experienced Principal Town Planner to join its Strategic Applications Team on an interim basis.

The role will focus on major and strategic planning applications, including large residential schemes of 100+ units and developments of several hundred homes.

Key requirements

• Strong experience managing major/strategic planning applications from submission through to determination.
• Experience dealing with complex developments, including committee reports and S106 agreements.
• Ideally 4–5+ years’ relevant planning experience.
• Previous London Borough experience highly desirable.
• Ability to take ownership of your own caseload and manage applications independently.
• Public inquiry or planning hearing experience desirable.

Workload includes major schemes of 500–600 residential units, alongside mixed-use developments including a 150-unit scheme and 100-bed hotel.

The role is predominantly remote, with occasional attendance required in East London for committee meetings, Quality Review Panels and key face-to-face meetings – typically only a couple of times per month.