RQ1560432 – Development Management Officer

Carrington Blake Recruitment; Swellendam; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Planning Policy Officer to support the Planning Service in Swellendam. This role involves leading projects, managing development applications, and ensuring compliance with planning policies. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Planning or related fields and experience in project management and policy development. This full-time position offers a competitive salary with potential for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Experience in policy development and project management.
• Strong customer service orientation and communication skills.
• Ability to analyze data and trends for informed decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Assisting in the development and implementation of planning policies.
• Managing applications and liaising with stakeholders and the public.
• Preparing and presenting reports and statements at hearings.

Skills

Customer service

Project management

Research skills

Analytical skills

Education

Degree in Planning, Public Policy, or related field

Job description

• £23.32 an hour
• Full time

Purpose of the job
This role works across the functions of Planning Policy and Development Management and
Enforcement. The postholder will fulfil allocated tasks and duties to meet the operational
demands of the Planning Service.
Policy: Effectively lead on projects, workstreams and effectively project manage key
evidence documents to inform and support policy development. Support the delivery of
Council’s planning policy function, ensuring guidance is up to date by planning and
participating in projects and work streams including researching and writing policy,
consultation and engagement exercises and assisting in taking those projects and work
streams through the milestones to external examination where necessary. Assisting in
implementing and delivering policies and guidance in practice, preparing appeal statements,
appearing at hearings and answering enquiries from applicants, their agents and other
customers in relation to planning matters, advising other departments as required.
Development Management and Enforcement: To implement the policies and procedures of
the Council with regard to the management of development. Ensure the timely processing of
planning submissions and related activities such as appeals, in accordance with national and
local performance targets. To investigate, assess and take appropriate action in respect of
alleged breaches of planning control to safeguard the environmental quality and amenities of
North Northamptonshire, and maintain public confidence in the planning system.

Principal responsibilities

1. Assisting senior colleagues and Managers in the Planning Service.
2. Ensuring the highest levels of customer service.
3. Support initiatives and all aspects of process improvement and systems review where
needed.
4. Take responsibility for personal development and continuous improvement to develop
a thorough understanding of current issues, processes, legislation or systems.
5. To maximise personal productivity, minimise errors and produce high quality and timely
work outputs.
6. Attendance at evening and weekend meetings/committees/exhibitions.
Policy:
7. Assisting in developing policy, and other planning and design guidance, based upon
appropriate evidence, involving stakeholders and the public in policy development and
taking draft policy through formal adoption processes, including preparing for Key
Decisions and Examinations in Public as necessary
8. Undertaking research to provide a sound and up to date evidence base for policy
development for both North Northamptonshire as a whole, and for specified places as a
key element of place shaping.
9. Participating in projects to deliver local plan objectives, in relation to a topic or a spatial
area.
10. Maintaining a broad knowledge of the policy issues across North Northamptonshire
and developing specialist knowledge in certain aspects according to business needs,
preparing briefings for senior officers, managers and Councillors.
11. Providing guidance and support for communities considering or preparing
neighbourhood plans
12. Facilitating at public events as part of community engagement
13. Assisting in maintaining databases and monitoring systems. Analysing evidence and
drawing out trends, patterns and characteristics for both the borough as a whole and
specified places in need of policy development.
14. Providing policy observations on applications for planning permission, advice to other
Council departments, and working on corporate projects as required, including the
Infrastructure Delivery Plan.
15. Preparing statements and other materials for appeals and prosecutions, and to appear
as the Council’s representative at inquiries, hearings and court.
16. Assist on work on Special Projects which may from time to time arise.
17. Assist the preparation of commissioning briefs and the procurement of professional
consultants to advise the Council on technical matters essential to support plan
making.
18. To assist in developing the application of Information Technology in the planning policy
process, including the Council’s Geographical Information System.
Development Management and Enforcement:
19. Assisting in the validation of planning applications and other submissions.
20. Dealing with a case load of some of smaller scale planning applications, and/or alleged
breaches of planning control, including the carrying out of site inspections, research,
consultations and assessment of the case. Making appropriate recommendations in
accordance with the policies of the Council under the direction of senior colleagues.
21. Preparation and presenting of Committee reports on planning and other applications.
22. Negotiating to improve development proposals.
23. Providing advice and assistance to the public, prospective applicants, and others about
more complex planning proposals. Providing effective customer liaison and information
to all in actual and alleged breaches of planning control.
24. Liaison with other sections of the department, other departments of the Council and other
bodies to ensure full consideration is given to all factors relating to proposed
developments.
25. Liaison with other sections of the service, other sections of the Council and other
bodies to ensure full consideration is given to all factors relating to proposed
developments and/or a joined-up corporate approach to enforcement in the public
interest.
26. Preparation of statements and representing the Council as an expert planning witness
at hearings, inquiries or in Court.
27. Dealing with service complaints (where appropriate) in accordance with the Council’s
corporate complaints procedure; assisting the Local Government Ombudsman where
necessary in their investigations.

If you think this job role is for you, please send your CV to [e-mail]