Senior Planning Officer Two posts - one permanent and one fixed term until 31 March 2023

£33,573 - £37,163 per annum

Part-Time/flexible working considered

We are looking for a qualified and experienced Town Planner to support the Council’s delivery of the development management service. If you are an existing senior planner looking for a new challenge or an experienced planner looking to advance your career this could be the role for you.

This is a key role in the Development Management Team and we are looking for a dynamic, forward thinking, and motivated individual with excellent negotiating skills who seeks solutions to issues and who uses their experience and know-how to deliver a high quality planning service. 

You will be responsible for, and act as Case Officer, for a varied and diverse caseload of major applications, some of which will be very complex and include housing, retail and tourism developments. Your role will also include, amongst other things, progressing applications through the planning process including liaising with applicants and agents, colleagues, councillors, members of the public, consultees, and other stakeholders; negotiation; S.106 agreements; the drafting of professional reports including delegated and Planning Board and presentations to Planning Board as required.

You will also be responsible for providing pre-application advice; securing and negotiating Planning Performance Agreements (PPA) as well as meeting the agreed performance requirements. You will also represent the Council at appeal including written representations, hearings and public inquiries. You will also get the opportunity to deputise for the Team Leader - Development management, including signing off decisions.

You will have a degree level qualification in Town and Country Planning/Spatial Planning or an appropriate subject relating to planning and be able to demonstrate post-qualification experience dealing with a range of planning applications, giving pre-application advice and representing the Council at appeal. Chartered Membership, or eligibility for membership of the RTPI is necessary and applicants will need to demonstrate an extensive knowledge and understanding of technical matters relating of the overall planning process, policy, legislation, guidance and regulation and an awareness of the government planning reform agenda.

In return we can offer a friendly working environment where team members are approachable and always willing to help. Sharing knowledge and supporting one another is very important to us.

The council also promotes a flexible working environment with mix of office and home working being encouraged. The importance of face-to-face team contact however is recognised and therefore your attendance in the office at times will be necessary.

Furthermore, for the right candidate, we are willing to consider part-time working or other flexible working arrangements such as compressed hours. 

Other benefits include:

• Generous annual leave - 26 days rising to 31 after 5 years continuous Local Government Service (plus Bank Holidays)
• Automatic enrolment into the generous Local Government Pension Scheme • Flexible working
• Free on-site parking • Payment of annual subscription to one professional body, such as RTPI (if applicable)
• Learning and Development, particularly training provided by the RTPI
• Free flu vaccination each year
• Access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders • Cycle to Work Scheme • Additional leave purchase scheme
• For the permanent post, £5k relocation allowance (subject to conditions)

If you are forward thinking, ambitious, and keen to make a real difference and would like to join our team, we would be delighted to hear from you. For more information and to apply click on the 'Apply Button'

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Rachel Tadman, Interim Head of Planning on (01749) 341510.