Job Description
5 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• To act as Lead Case Officer for strategic and major planning applications, managing cases from pre-application stage through to determination and post-permission (conditions).
• To represent the Council at Planning Committee, appeals, Informal Hearings and Public Inquiries, presenting complex planning matters clearly and professionally.
• To negotiate planning obligations, including Section 106 agreements and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), ensuring development proposals secure appropriate infrastructure and policy compliance.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Manage a caseload of strategic and major planning applications, providing high-quality pre-application advice and progressing applications through to determination and discharge of conditions.
• Prepare detailed officer reports with clear recommendations in line with local and national planning policy.
• Present applications at Planning Committee and respond to Member queries effectively.
• Prepare written statements for appeals including written representations, Informal Hearings and Public Inquiries.
• Represent the Council at appeal proceedings, presenting evidence and defending decisions where required.
• Negotiate Section 106 agreements to secure planning obligations in line with policy requirements.
• Apply and advise on Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) regulations.
• Assess and interpret financial viability appraisals to inform negotiations on planning obligations.
• Liaise with internal departments, statutory consultees, developers, agents and members of the public.
• Provide professional planning advice to Members and senior officers.
• Ensure compliance with national legislation, the Local Plan and supplementary planning documents.
Skills/Experience:
• Significant experience in development management within a local authority setting.
• Proven experience handling strategic and major planning applications.
• Experience presenting reports at Planning Committee.
• Experience preparing and defending appeals, including Public Inquiries and Informal Hearings.
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation, policy and guidance (Town and Country Planning Act, NPPF, etc.).
• Demonstrable experience negotiating Section 106 agreements and applying CIL regulations.
• Experience reviewing financial viability assessments.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to interpret complex planning policy and present it clearly to varied audiences.
Additional Information:
• The closing date: 17/02/2026 @12:00.
• 36 hours per week (09:00 – 17:00).
• Based at London Borough of Sutton.
Requirements
• Significant experience in development management within a local authority setting. • Proven experience handling strategic and major planning applications. • Experience presenting reports at Planning Committee. • Experience preparing and defending appeals, including Public Inquiries and Informal Hearings. • Strong knowledge of planning legislation, policy and guidance (Town and Country Planning Act, NPPF, etc.). • Demonstrable experience negotiating Section 106 agreements and applying CIL regulations. • Experience reviewing financial viability assessments. • Excellent report writing and presentation skills. • Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills. • Ability to interpret complex planning policy and present it clearly to varied audiences.