Senior Planning Officer (Development Management)

Vox Network Consultants; West of England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local planning consultancy is seeking a Senior Planning Officer to manage a complex caseload of planning applications. You will provide guidance to planning officers and prepare for appeals. The ideal candidate should hold a Degree in Town Planning and possess strong knowledge of planning policies. This is a full-time role with opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning or related subject and equivalent experience.
• Ability to provide detailed advice across a range of planning issues.
• Good knowledge of planning, enforcement, planning policy, and case law.

Responsibilities

• Process and determine a varied and complex caseload of planning applications.
• Provide support and guidance to planning officers and consultees.
• Prepare appeal statements and attend hearings as expert witness.

Skills

Detailed planning advice

Knowledge of planning policy

Interpretation of legislation

Education

Degree in Town Planning

Job description

Senior Planning Officer (Development Management)

Responsibilities

• To be responsible for the processing and determination of a varied and complex caseload of planning applications (including major development - economic, inward investment, change of use and residential schemes) across the council, through negotiation with developers and their agents, considering third party comments, liaising with members and drafting reports to Planning Committee and for delegated decisions.
• To provide support and guidance to planning officers and consultees dealing with the processing of planning applications, undertaking monitoring and compliance functions and other planning functions to meet agreed timescales, make robust decisions, and deliver appropriate development.
• To prepare appeal statements and attend hearings and public enquiries as expert witness in connection with planning and enforcement appeals, to represent the Local Planning Authority and defend its decisions.
• To respond promptly to enquiries from developers, members and the public on a range of development matters to ensure an efficient and reliable service is provided taking account of relevant legislation, case law policies and the procedures of the Council.
• The Senior Planning Officers deal with major and more complex minor and other applications and all associated consenting requirements such as discharge of conditions and non-material amendments.
• The Senior Officers offer support to the Planning Officers and Technicians in terms of judgement, legislation interpretation and knowledge of case law, appeal decisions and policies. They are responsible for their own caseloads of applications which are subject to 8 and 13 week statutory determination periods as recorded through Government Performance tables. These officers have working caseloads ranging from 35-50 reflecting the more complex nature of the applications.

Requirements

• Degree in Town Planning or related subject and equivalent experience. The postholder will require membership of (or be eligible to join) the RTPI
• Ability to provide detailed advice across a range of planning issues in a development management/planning environment, including process and procedural matters
• Good knowledge of planning, enforcement, planning policy, case law and relevant legislation
• Interpretation of legislation - interpretation of relevant planning legislation and case law in respect of issues arising from pre-application enquiries, applications, appeals and planning enforcement

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Public Relations

Industries

• Community Development and Urban Planning