Senior Planning Officer (Development Management) - AR

Senior Planning Officer (Development Management) Job Purpose

To manage a diverse caseload of planning and development management applications, ensuring that development proposals are assessed efficiently, consistently and in accordance with planning legislation, local planning policy and national guidance. The role supports sustainable growth, regeneration and heritage conservation while delivering a customer-focused and business-friendly planning service.

Key Responsibilities Development Management

• Assess and determine a wide range of planning applications, including householder, commercial, residential, listed building and major development proposals.
• Undertake site visits and evaluate planning merits against national and local planning policy.
• Manage all consultation processes with internal departments, statutory consultees, applicants and stakeholders.
• Negotiate amendments to development proposals to achieve acceptable planning outcomes.
• Prepare detailed officer reports and recommendations for approval or refusal.

Planning Committee and Decision Making

• Present planning applications and professional recommendations at Planning Committee meetings.
• Provide expert planning advice to elected members and senior officers.
• Support transparent and evidence-based decision making.

Appeals and Enforcement

• Prepare and coordinate responses to planning appeals.
• Draft appeal statements and represent the Council at hearings, inquiries and other appeal proceedings where required.
• Work alongside enforcement officers on cases involving unauthorised development and breaches of planning control.
• Assist in securing compliance with planning conditions and enforcement notices.

Pre-Application Advice

• Provide professional planning advice to developers, businesses, residents and other stakeholders through the pre-application process.
• Identify planning risks, policy considerations and development opportunities at an early stage.
• Support the delivery of high-quality development proposals.

Policy and Strategic Planning Support

• Contribute professional planning expertise to the preparation and implementation of Local Plans, supplementary planning documents and planning guidance.
• Ensure planning decisions support the Council's strategic objectives and regeneration priorities.
• Promote sustainable development principles across all areas of work.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Respond to planning enquiries from residents, developers, councillors and partner organisations.
• Represent the Council at meetings, consultations and public engagement events.
• Build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills and Expertise

• Comprehensive knowledge of planning legislation, development management processes and planning policy.
• Experience assessing planning applications of varying scale and complexity, including major developments.
• Strong report-writing and analytical skills.
• Effective negotiation and stakeholder management abilities.
• Excellent organisational and workload management skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Town Planning or equivalent qualification recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Key Outcomes

• Timely determination of planning applications.
• Delivery of high-quality planning decisions that support sustainable growth.
• Effective management of planning appeals and enforcement matters.
• Positive engagement with applicants, residents and stakeholders.
• Contribution to the successful implementation of local planning policy and strategic development objectives.