Principal Planning Officer

Job Category : Planning

Location : Brympton Way, Somerset Council

Hours Per Week : 37.00

Start Date : Immediate Start

Start Time : 09:00

End Time : 17:30
Salary: £41.54

Principal Planning Officer

Responsible for a range of complex planning casework to deliver strategic outcomes for the Council. Accountable for negotiating on proposals to deliver high quality development in Somerset in accordance with national guidance, planning law and adopted local plans/other guidance.  

 •         Responsible for decision taking under the officer scheme of delegation for planning and other related applications.

 •         Provide clear direction to deliver the Council’s strategic priorities and meet the Council’s financial targets, as a member of the Development Management Service Team.

 •         Support senior colleagues at Area Planning and Strategic Planning Committees and present applications for decision.

 •         Update and advise elected members in respect of strategic sites and associated matters including briefings and training.

 •         Using professional knowledge analyse and evaluate complex technical information to provide professional advice to statutory consultees, other departments of the Council, developers/applicants, members and communities to ensure high quality outputs which support the delivery of the Council’s objectives.

 •         Balance the competing demands of other council services and the viability of the development to make recommendations/determine priorities and negotiate complex S106 agreements to ensure high quality development is brought forward meeting the requirements of adopted planning policy and the delivery of infrastructure.



Qualifications: 

• Degree in Town Planning or related subject and equivalent experience. The postholder will require membership of (or be eligible to join) the RTPI (Essential)

Knowledge:

• Ability to provide detailed advice across a range of planning issues in a development management/planning environment, including process and procedural matters (Essential)
• Good knowledge of planning, enforcement, planning policy, case law and relevant legislation (Essential)
• Interpretation of legislation – interpretation of relevant planning legislation and case law in respect of issues arising from pre-application enquiries, applications, appeals and planning enforcement (Essential)

Skills:

• Good negotiation skills and the ability to contribute positively to the resolution of issues (Essential)
• Working under pressure and to strict deadlines, prioritising, organising, and planning own and others fluctuating workloads (Essential)
• Ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders clearly and proactively (Essential)
• Adaptation and responding to change (Essential)
• Ability to use influence and persuasion to achieve objectives (Essential)
• Ability to use thoughtful judgement to manage complex service delivery (Essential)
• Flexible approach to the working day (Essential)
• Shares knowledge and expertise with others (Essential)

Experience: 

• Should have a minimum of 5 years experience of working at a Senior level in Development Management/Placemaking and demonstrate the ability to manage a caseload or competing workloads to deliver strategic sites and maintain performance (Essential)
• Should have experience of defending the Council at appeal (Hearing/Inquiry) (Desirable)
• Should have experience of working within a team to support team development and CPD (Essential)