Senior Planning Officer

Matchtech; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech is seeking a Senior Planning Officer for a contract within the highways sector, focused on Development Management in a Local Planning Authority. You will assess and determine complex planning applications and support delivery of major proposals.

The role requires recent Senior Planning Officer experience, strong Development Management expertise, and excellent report writing, analytical and stakeholder management skills to handle backlogs and meet deadlines.

Qualifications

• Recent experience as a Senior Planning Officer within a Local Planning Authority.
• Strong Development Management experience.
• Experience handling complex planning applications, major applications and heritage or conservation cases.
• Understanding of planning legislation, policy and application procedures.
• Experience managing planning application backlogs and competing priorities.
• Strong report writing, analytical and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to work independently and deliver accurate outcomes within agreed timescales.

Responsibilities

• Managing and determining a varied caseload of planning applications
• Assessing complex planning proposals, including major applications
• Handling heritage and conservation cases with appropriate consideration of relevant planning requirements
• Working through application backlogs efficiently and accurately
• Preparing clear planning reports, recommendations and delegated or committee decisions
• Engaging with applicants, agents, consultees and other stakeholders throughout the planning process
• Providing professional Development Management advice in relation to highways and associated projects

Skills

Report writing

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Stakeholder management

Communication

Independent worker

Job description

Our client is seeking a Senior Planning Officer for a contract opportunity within the highways sector. The role will focus on Development Management within a Local Planning Authority, supporting the assessment and delivery of complex planning applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing and determining a varied caseload of planning applications


• Assessing complex planning proposals, including major applications


• Handling heritage and conservation cases with appropriate consideration of relevant planning requirements


• Working through application backlogs efficiently and accurately


• Preparing clear planning reports, recommendations and delegated or committee decisions


• Engaging with applicants, agents, consultees and other stakeholders throughout the planning process


• Providing professional Development Management advice in relation to highways and associated projects

Job Requirements:

• Recent experience as a Senior Planning Officer within a Local Planning Authority


• Strong Development Management experience


• Experience handling complex planning applications, major applications and heritage or conservation cases


• Understanding of planning legislation, policy and application procedures


• Experience managing planning application backlogs and competing priorities


• Strong report writing, analytical and decision‑making skills


• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities


• Ability to work independently and deliver accurate outcomes within agreed timescales

If you are an experienced Senior Planning Officer with a strong Development Management background and knowledge of complex applications.