Principal Planning Officer

Job Description

Principal Planner - Development Management
Remote / Hybrid (Office attendance preferred 1-2 days per week)
£50 per hour (Umbrella)
35 hours per week

Job Ref - 70420


An excellent opportunity for an experienced Principal Planner to join a busy Local Authority Development Management team, supporting an ongoing service improvement programme and helping to clear a backlog of planning applications. You will manage a varied caseload of minor and major applications, delivering a high standard of customer service and helping improve the experience of applicants and stakeholders.

Key responsibilities:
·Manage and process a varied caseload of planning applications, from minor to major applications
·Work through an existing backlog of applications, progressing cases efficiently and independently
·Provide excellent customer service, dealing professionally with applicants and customers who may have experienced previous service delays
·Apply national planning procedures accurately, alongside local Merton planning policies
·Undertake site visits as required, with visits potentially arranged in batches
·Work flexibly across either of the two Development Management area teams
·Liaise with area team leaders, who will provide line management and sign off completed cases
·Attend planning committee meetings on Thursday evenings if required


Requirements:
·Strong experience in Development Management, handling both minor and major planning applications
·Ability to manage a varied caseload with minimal supervision
·Sound knowledge of national planning legislation, procedures and policies
·Experience delivering high levels of customer service and managing challenging customer interactions
·Confidence making independent planning decisions and progressing applications without extensive supervision
·Willingness to travel for site visits and attend committee meetings when required


Flexible remote/hybrid working is available, with a preference for 1-2 days per week in the office. Candidates must be willing to travel for site visits as required. Travel to the office, site visits and committee meetings will be at the candidate's own time and expense.


Please call Jake Herrington on 02393 876015 for a confidential discussion on this role, or email:
[email protected]
[email protected]


Carrington West's dedicated Town Planning Recruitment Team supply clients UK wide on both a permanent and contract basis at all levels of seniority. If this role is not quite right, feel free to get in touch to discuss other opportunities.