Job Title: Principal Planning Officer
Salary Range: From £48,873-£59,220 depending on skills and experience
Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time
Location: Wandsworth, UK
Objective of Role
Wandsworth’s planning service is busy, forward‑looking and committed to delivering high‑quality design, sustainable growth and positive outcomes for local communities and historic built environments. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated Principal planner looking to further develop their career within a high‑performing inner London authority.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in the Strategic Development Team in the Planning Service of the Growth & Place Directorate at Wandsworth Borough Council. You will work within this highly regarded team with a variety of high profile planning work in the Battersea Nine Elms Opportunity Area. Ongoing developments include the Battersea Power Station site, the New Covent Garden sites and many other schemes. The team also covers large‑scale sites regeneration projects in the York Road/Winstanley Estate near Clapham Junction and the Alton Estate in Roehampton.
About The Role
You’ll Be:
* Managing a caseload of complex and controversial planning applications shaping a major reservoir of London’s housing needs
* Leading on pre‑application discussions and negotiations with applicants and agents
* Negotiating effectively on schemes, section 106 agreements and Planning Performance Agreements
* Preparing high‑quality reports and presenting recommendations to Planning Committee
* Working closely with internal colleagues, members, local communities and external stakeholders
* Contributing to a responsive, customer‑focused planning service that meets agreed timeframes
* Representing the Council in planning appeals (although infrequent occurrence)
Essential Qualifications, Skills And Experience
* A degree in planning or a related discipline, with RTPI membership or eligibility for full membership
* Demonstrable experience of managing complex and controversial planning applications
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and public speaking
* The ability to lead on negotiation and make sound planning judgements under pressure
* A collaborative approach, with the ability to work positively across teams and disciplines
The role would provide an opportunity to make a difference in shaping the environment and place‑making in Nine Elms and to advance career development.
Recruitment Timeline
Closing Date: Monday 11th May (23:59)
Shortlisting – W/C 18th May
Interviews – TBC
We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Council’s services.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.
We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and such appointments will be conditional upon receiving satisfactory police record checks via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.
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