Principal Planning Officer

Summary: The Principal Planning Officer role involves managing major and high-profile planning applications within a local authority's Development Management service. The position requires hands-on involvement in committee work, appeals, and stakeholder management, particularly for politically sensitive projects. The successful candidate will also support the Team Manager and oversee junior staff. This is a hybrid role with a contract duration of 3 to 6 months.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing major planning applications from validation through to recommendation/decision, including negotiation with applicants and stakeholders
• Preparing delegated and committee reports, and presenting applications to Members at Planning Committee
• Leading on appeal work, including Public Inquiries
• Negotiating associated legal agreements
• Deputising for and supporting the Team Manager in managing the Development Management team
• Line managing Planning Officers and Assistant Planning Officers

Key Skills:

• Strong working knowledge of UK planning legislation, policy, and Development Management procedures
• Relevant degree plus a postgraduate planning qualification recognised by the RTPI (or equivalent experience)
• RTPI member, or eligible for membership
• Significant post-qualification planning experience, including major/complex applications
• Confident with committee attendance and presentations
• Experience across rural and urban planning environments
• Appeals experience strongly preferred

Salary (Rate): £60 per hour

City: undetermined

Country: undetermined

Working Arrangements: hybrid

IR35 Status: undetermined

Seniority Level: undetermined

Industry: Other