Senior Planning Officer (Grade 9)

Nations Recruitment; Yeovil; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Somerset is looking for a Planning Officer to manage planning applications and provide detailed guidance on planning issues. The successful candidate will hold a degree in Town Planning, have strong negotiation skills, and be a member or eligible for membership in the RTPI. This role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to manage a complex caseload effectively.

Qualifications

• Ability to provide detailed advice across various planning issues.
• Good knowledge of relevant planning legislation and case law.
• Experience in interpretation of planning legislation.

Responsibilities

• Process and determine complex planning applications.
• Support planning officers and ensure compliance.
• Prepare appeal statements and represent the authority.

Skills

Good negotiation skills

Ability to communicate with stakeholders

Ability to work under pressure

Good judgment in service delivery

Adaptation to change

Education

Degree in Town Planning or related subject

Membership of RTPI or eligibility to join

Job description

Overview

Role Purpose

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 Somerset, 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.

Responsibilities

• Hold responsibility 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 Somerset, through negotiation with developers and their agents, considering third party comments, liaising with members and drafting reports to Planning Committee and for delegated decisions.
• 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.
• 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.
• Respond promptly to enquiries from developers, members and the public on a range of development matters to ensure an efficient and reliable service, taking account of relevant legislation, case law policies and the procedures of the Council.

Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning or related subject and equivalent experience. The postholder will require membership of (or be eligible to join) the RTPI (Essential)

Knowledge

• Ability to provide detailed advice across a range of planning issues in a development management/planning environment, including process and procedural matters (Essential)
• Good knowledge of planning, enforcement, planning policy, case law and relevant legislation (Essential)
• 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 (Essential)

Skills

• Good negotiation skills and the ability to contribute positively to the resolution of issues (Essential)
• Working under pressure and to strict deadlines, prioritising, organising, and planning own and others fluctuating workloads (Essential)
• Ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders clearly and proactively (Essential)
• Adaptation and responding to change (Essential)
• Ability to use influence and persuasion to achieve objectives (Essential)
• Ability to use thoughtful judgement to manage complex service delivery (Essential)
• Flexible approach to the working day (Essential)
• Shares knowledge and expertise with others (Essential)

Experience

• Should have experience of working at a Senior level in Development Management and demonstrate the ability to manage a caseload and competing workloads to maintain performance targets (Essential)
• Should have experience of defending the Council at appeal (Hearing/Inquiry) (Desirable)
• Should have experience of working within a team to support team development and CPD (Essential)