We're looking for a skilled and experienced Principal Planning Consultant to join our market‑leading Planning Resilience team at Capita.
This is a flexible contract opportunity, open to applicants across the UK and Northern Ireland, where you'll be paid for the hours you work.
As the Principal Planner, you'll be able to demonstrate at least 8 years of experience within Planning Policy or Development Management. You will be expected to lead on major planning applications, provide expert advice on local plans, and help drive service improvements for our Local Authority clients.
This role will be paid on an hourly rate based on variable hours, depending on work available.
What you’ll be doing
Process major planning applications in a timely manner, producing robust reports and recommendations to achieve desired and deliverable outcomes.
Undertake pre‑application discussions on major proposals, some under Planning Performance Agreements.
Prepare and present evidence on appeals for external clients.
Work with our clients and partner councils, flexibly handling a range of projects across strategic planning and development management, including Local Plans, Supplementary Planning Documents, CIL/S106, and Sustainability Appraisal.
Provide high‑quality timely professional advice and direction on planning matters, being proactive and problem‑solving as required by the client.
Lead on consultation and engagement activities, coordinating and reviewing public consultation representations and responding to queries from members of the public or councillors.
Contribute to the delivery and improvement of business management systems, procedures and processes.
Support and guide peers and more junior staff, ensuring contemporary planning issues and legislation are cascaded and understood.
Support the growth of the team by making a positive contribution to business development, securing repeat work and applying a commercial lens to all work undertaken.
Provide consistently high‑quality professional advice on planning matters to clients, members of the public, councillors and others as necessary.
Negotiate with applicants and a wide range of stakeholders to obtain high‑quality outcomes within given time constraints set out in our contractual arrangements with clients.
Provide concise, accurate, justified and timely reports and recommendations on major planning applications and pre‑application discussions, applying current legislation and policy changes as appropriate.
Keep up to date with current and emerging policy development at a local, regional and national level so that clients are in a strong position to benefit from existing policies and potential changes.
Be involved in service improvements and business operations to ensure resilience competitive edge, efficiency and effectiveness going forward.
What we’re looking for
Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, including proven expertise as an expert witness at Planning Inquiries/Local Plan Examination.
Demonstrable experience working as a Principal Planning Officer or Consultant in the public sector is essential; experience across both public and private sectors would be advantageous.
A high level of knowledge, understanding and application of current and emerging planning legislation.
Full, clean UK Driving Licence with the willingness to travel to meet our client requirements.
Equal Opportunities
At Capita, we’re committed to providing an inclusive, barrier‑free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. We are an equal opportunity and Disability Confident employer; we want to hear from you if you’d like to discuss any adjustments you might need during your recruitment process. Please email reasonableadjustments@capita.com or call 07784 237318 and we’ll get back to you to discuss.
For more information about equal opportunities and the types of adjustments we can offer, please visit the Capita Careers website. If you have a question that does not relate to adjustments during your recruitment process, please email our Talent Acquisition team – CPScareers@capita.com.
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