Area Team Manager (Planning)

Overview

Newton Abbot, United Kingdom

Purpose of the Role:

To provide effective management and lead a team(s) of officers within the Development management service including responsibility for staff performance management.

To act as case officer for corporately important major projects to drive the Development Management function within the Council.

To deputise for the Head of Development Management and cover for the Planning Support Manager as required.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Team management including workload allocation and managing performance to ensure individual and teams work effectively and local and service performance indicators are met
• Responsible to ensure all advice, recommendations and decisions (both as an individual and of team) comply with all relevant regulations and legislation, and appropriately consider representations from individuals and groups
• Take an active role as part of the Development Management service management team including participating/contributing to long term strategic decisions and policy making
• Responding to media enquiries in accordance with advice and support from the Comms team and as agreed with Head of Service
• Acting as Safeguarding ambassador
• Provide definitive expert development management advice on complex technical planning, design, development viability, environmental, conservation and other planning-related matters
• Undertaking case officer role and making recommendations on major and corporately important application proposals, including: giving pre-application advice; examining and evaluating application proposals; carrying out appropriate consultations; negotiating improvements; considering relevant legislation, local and national policy implications; considering responses and objections in relation to S106 and CIL; making recommendations and reporting to the appropriate Committee of the Council; and, to attend Parish/Town Councils and public meetings as required
• Assist the Head of Dev Management in the preparation of the Planning Committee agenda
• Attend Planning Committee to present reports, provide advice and act as primary source of planning advice in Head of Development Management's absence
• Provide specialist advice and act as expert witness at planning appeals, hearings and Public Inquiries, including in relation to Judicial Review, informal and public enquiries and compulsory purchase matters
• Making and signing decisions in accordance with the Delegation Scheme for Determining Planning Applications and related Planning Matters (including listed building applications; implications for CIL, enforcement and habitat regulations and other relevant permission matters)
• Working closely with Members, other Services and external agencies to give advice and information

Requirements

Experience Required:

• Leading and managing a team
• Town and Country Planning, including aspects such as Local Plan preparation

Closing Date: 26 April 2026 - Interviews: Scheduled for the following week