Principal Planning Officer (Planning)

Our client, a local authority in St Albans, is seeking a Principal Planning Officer to join its Highways and Development Management function on a contract basis. The role will focus on strategic and major-scale development proposals, including residential schemes, commercial applications, outline planning applications and reserved matters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Negotiate Planning Performance Agreements with applicants and their professional teams
• Lead pre-application discussions, arranging meetings, attending site visits and liaising with consultees
• Provide clear written feedback and professional planning advice to applicants
• Process major and strategic planning applications through to determination
• Assess transport planning, highways and access implications associated with proposed developments
• Coordinate input from internal teams, external consultees and specialist advisers
• Prepare comprehensive officer reports with clear recommendations
• Present applications and recommendations to planning committee

Job Requirements:

• Significant experience in strategic or major development management within a local authority or similar planning environment
• Strong knowledge of the planning application and pre-application process
• Experience negotiating and managing Planning Performance AgreementsSound understanding of transport planning, highways matters and development access requirements
• Ability to assess complex proposals ranging from major residential schemes to large strategic allocations
• Excellent report-writing, negotiation and presentation skills
• Confidence working with minimal supervision while managing competing priorities
• Relevant planning qualification or equivalent professional experience

Role Benefits:

• Opportunity to work on high-profile strategic development projects
• Exposure to complex planning, highways and transport matters
• Collaborative support from experienced planning and design professionals
• Opportunity to influence high-quality development across St Albans