Principal Planning Officer

Who You Are

You are a dedicated professional with a strong background in development management, capable of managing complex planning applications and providing insightful planning advice. With a degree in Planning or a related subject, you are eligible for membership in the RTPI and possess a deep knowledge of planning legislation and regulations. Your experience includes working on major and complex cases and presenting evidence at Public Inquiries. You are committed to continuous professional development and demonstrate excellent customer care skills. You thrive in large, complex environments and are adept at managing workloads and meeting strict deadlines.

What the Job Involves

As a Principal Planning Officer, you will manage a caseload of planning applications and provide planning advice, including handling complex and major applications. You will attend Planning Committees to present reports and represent the service. Your responsibilities include acting as case officer on strategic developments, project managing sites, and negotiating community benefits from development proposals. You will also support team members, promote excellent customer care, and ensure planning decisions are compliant with statutory requirements. This role involves liaising with internal and external stakeholders, representing Planning Services at public meetings, and contributing to the development of new systems and service improvements.

Skills

• Excellent knowledge of planning legislation and regulations
• Experience with complex planning applications
• Effective customer care and stakeholder engagement
• Strong project management abilities
• Presentation and negotiation skills
• Proficient in IT systems, especially Microsoft Office
• Ability to work autonomously and under limited supervision
• Good organizational and record-keeping skills
• Ability to reflect on learning and coach others
• Professional judgement and up-to-date knowledge of planning practices