Career Grade Planning Applications Officer

Grade: S01-P04

Permanent and Fixed Term (2years) positions

£32,301- £45,594

The London Borough of Islington is one of the most vibrant, exciting and dynamic parts of London to live and work in and to visit, due to its unique heritage and urban character and its diverse arts, cultural and hospitality offer.

Islington is a busy inner London borough, and is one of the most densely populated local authorities in England, as such it contains some of the country’s most deprived neighbourhoods in close proximity to areas of very considerable wealth. This brings challenges however the Council has a clear vision to make Islington fairer and create a place where everyone, whatever their background, has the same opportunity to reach their potential and enjoy a good quality of life.

Islington has a rich and unique built environment. Historic buildings and spaces and well-designed new development contribute to local character and distinctiveness, the economy and community pride. The borough has 41 designated conservation areas (covering around 50% of the boroughs area), around 4,500 statutorily listed buildings and a high number of locally listed buildings.

The service has an expectation for careful consideration and attention to detail. The cheek-by-jowl development patterns of much of the borough make having a solid understanding of amenity issues very important.

Ambitious and progressive planning policies have been adopted and are being further developed (emerging Local Plan) that build on long established aims to maximise affordable housing delivery, secure sustainable and zero carbon development and deliver the highest quality built environment, whilst respecting, celebrating and protecting the borough’s unique character and heritage.

We are looking for passionate, experienced and enthusiastic planning, policy, conservation and business support professionals to join our fast paced, enthusiastic, varied and inherently interesting Planning Service to support the delivery of Islington Council’s key objectives.

The Planning and Development Department are dynamic and forward-thinking with a can-do approach. As a service we seek continual improvement to the service we provide, the quality of developments and the consistency of decisions.

If you have initiative, a positive attitude and problem-solving skills then we want to hear from you.

As part of a welcoming and experienced team you will deal with a large breadth of varying complexities of minor applications within all areas of Islington ranging from residential areas, key Town Centres, the City Fringe and the Central Activities Zone. So you need to be customer-focussed, well organised, able to communicate effectively (written and verbal) and effectively manage your workload.

The role focuses on processing householder applications, adverts, certificate of lawful uses to larger minor schemes for conversions and new builds up to nine residential units to commercial changes of use and mixed use schemes just below the majors thresholds.

To apply you will have the following qualifications: (SO1 you should be attending a relevant disciplined course and for SO2 and above, you will have obtained qualifications from a relevant disciplined course). You will also have the skills and experience to:

•             Assess and negotiate amendments and write up detailed recommendations at delegated and Committee levels on a range of complex minor planning applications

•             Write up appeal statements accurately, applying all relevant planning policies and material planning considerations and to explain complex matters verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner

•             Work closely and collaboratively with Senior Planning Officers within the Planning Applications Team and other consultees

•             Look for and find creative solutions, pay attention to detail and take responsibility for delivering high quality work

•             Work well under pressure, manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines

•             Work productively with stakeholders including residents, councillors, contractors and other partners.

If this is you then we want to hear from you.

The job specification provides useful details and information relating to the roles within the Planning Applications Team.

For an informal discussion about the available roles, please contact Siobhan McCool on 0207 527 2700 or Paul Conboy on 0207 527 2260, both Applications Teams Managers.