Title: Principal Planning Officer
Contract: 5 months Location: London, UK (Hybrid - 3 days in office)Role type: Full time Contract (Monday to Friday)Job PurposeTo lead and supervise a team of planning and enforcement officers within the Development Management service, managing a diverse caseload of planning applications including major and strategic developments.The postholder will research, assess and report on the full range of planning applications and enforcement matters under the Planning Acts and associated legislation. The role includes preparing appeal statements, representing the Council at inquiries and hearings, presenting at Planning Committee, negotiating complex development proposals (including Section 106 agreements), and deputising for the Team Leader where required.Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Team Supervision
1. Supervise, mentor and provide professional guidance to planning and enforcement officers.
2. Allocate and monitor workload across the team.
3. Support officer development, training and performance management.
4. Deputise for the Team Leader in their absence, including authorising reports and recommendations.
Development Management & Casework
5. Manage a varied caseload of planning applications, including major and strategic developments.
6. Assess development proposals through site visits, policy appraisal and consultation responses.
7. Draft high-quality, robust reports with clear and defensible recommendations.
8. Negotiate complex applications, including securing financial contributions through legal agreements (e.g. Section 106).
9. Validate planning applications and ensure statutory requirements are met.
10. Maintain accurate records of site visits, meetings and decisions.
Planning Enforcement
11. Investigate alleged breaches of planning control.
12. Lead and authorise formal enforcement action where appropriate.
13. Instruct planning solicitors on enforcement and related matters.
14. Prepare and present cases for prosecution where necessary.
Appeals & Representation
15. Prepare appeal statements, proofs of evidence and witness statements.
16. Represent the Council at public inquiries, hearings and court proceedings.
17. Present reports and respond to questions at Planning Committee.
18. Attend pre-committee briefings and stakeholder meetings.
Stakeholder Engagement & Customer Service
19. Provide professional advice to applicants, agents, members, residents and other stakeholders.
20. Advise on planning policy, likelihood of consent and scheme amendments.
21. Represent the Development Management service at cross-departmental and external meetings.
22. Contribute to maintaining high standards of customer service.
Service Development
23. Contribute to service improvement initiatives and change programmes.
24. Lead or participate in working groups aimed at continuous improvement.
25. Manage external consultancy commissions (typically up to £25,000), overseeing quality and delivery.
Qualifications & Professional Requirements
26. Degree in Town Planning or equivalent relevant qualification.
27. Eligibility for membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
28. Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Essential Experience
29. Significant experience in Development Management, including planning enforcement.
30. Experience managing major or complex planning applications.
31. Proven experience presenting reports at Planning Committee.
32. Excellent working knowledge of current planning legislation and policy.
33. Experience negotiating Section 106 agreements.
34. Experience preparing appeal statements and representing cases at hearings or inquiries.
35. Some knowledge of historic buildings and conservation areas.
Skills & Competencies
36. Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
37. Excellent written communication, with the ability to produce concise and persuasive reports.
38. Confident public speaker with the ability to present complex matters clearly.
39. Ability to manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.
40. Leadership capability and ability to motivate and support colleagues.
41. Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
42. Methodical approach to detailed and procedural work.
43. High level of IT literacy.
What happens next?
Your application and CV will be carefully reviewed by the recruitment team managing this position. If your experience matches the role requirements, we will contact you within 48 hours to discuss the opportunity and outline the next steps.