Senior Planning Officer

Working on behalf of a Local Authority, Aatom Recruitment has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Planning Officer on a 3 months contract with the possibility of an extension.

Purpose of the role:

To carry out development control casework for a range of proposals, to prepare client’s Statements/Case for Appeals and represent the client at Informal Hearings and Public Inquiries as an expert witness. Attendance and presentation, where appropriate, of reports at Planning Committee.

Main responsibilities:

• Development Control, processing and managing a range of planning applications and allied casework, including preparing reports relating to planning applications to Planning Committee.
• In connection with 1. Above, to make site inspections, and to ensure all appropriate consultations and liaison procedures in connection with planning applications are undertaken with other departments, amenity societies, neighbours, resident’s associations, statutory undertakers and other major bodies and organisations.
• To assist in the implementation of various planning policies and programmes/initiatives.
• Negotiations with applicants, agents, prospective developers and members of the public both during the planning application stage and particularly at pre-application discussions/meetings.
• Liaison with officers of other departments of the client, other local authorities and outside organisations/bodies.
• To prepare evidence for planning appeals and attendance, where appropriate, at public enquiries and informal hearings to present client’s case.
• Exercising the authority to take decisions on those applications delegated to the Director of Technical Services by the client as Local Planning Authority, in particular delegated decisions on planning applications and discharging planning conditions.
• Providing supervision, guidance and assistance in the training, mentoring and development of junior members of staff.
• To assist in the development and implementation of service improvement initiatives and new technology, as required.
• Attendance, where appropriate, at inter-Authority meetings.
• To undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required by the Director of Technical Services in achieving a committed improvement in service delivery and quality outcomes.

Requirements:

• Degree in Town Planning or in a related field
• Knowledge and understanding of the development control process, planning legislation and national and regional planning guidance
• Experience in dealing with a wide range of planning and experience of planning appeals.
• Experience of working with partners from public and private, community and voluntary sectors and leading pre-application discussions
• The ability to work as part of a flexible team
• Good quality written and verbal communication skills including letter and report writing
• Good customer care skills – ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with Members, professional officers, developers, members of the public, organisations and others
• Good time management skills – ability to work to tight deadlines and to manage workload effectively

If you are interested in this role, please contact Anisha.