Planning Officer

Job Description

6 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Title: Planning Officer

Job Purpose

The Principal Planning Officer is responsible for managing a varied and complex caseload of planning applications, providing professional planning advice, and supporting the delivery of high-quality development management services within the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

The post holder will lead on the assessment and determination of complex planning applications, represent the Council at planning appeals and public inquiries, provide pre-application advice, supervise junior officers, and contribute to the achievement of the Council's planning, regeneration, and growth objectives. The role requires a detailed understanding of planning legislation, policy, and development management processes to ensure sound and defensible planning decisions are made in the public interest.

Key Responsibilities

Development Management

• Manage and determine a complex caseload of planning applications, including major and sensitive developments.
  
• Lead the assessment, evaluation, and negotiation of planning proposals in accordance with national, regional, and local planning policies.
  
• Undertake site inspections, consultations, stakeholder engagement, and negotiations to support planning recommendations.
  
• Prepare high-quality planning reports, legal documents, and committee reports.
  
• Provide expert planning advice to applicants, developers, consultants, councillors, and members of the public.
  
• Deliver pre-application advice and guidance in accordance with planning legislation and Council policies.
  
• Ensure decisions are legally compliant, robust, and defensible.
  

Appeals, Enforcement and Planning Advice

• Lead on planning appeals, including written representations, hearings, and Public Inquiries.
  
• Represent the Council before the Planning Inspectorate and other relevant bodies.
  
• Prepare appeal statements and evidence within statutory deadlines.
  
• Assist with planning enforcement matters, including enforcement notices, appeals, and prosecution cases where required.
  
• Interpret and apply planning legislation, case law, and policy guidance to complex development proposals.
  

Leadership and Team Management

• Supervise, mentor, and support junior planning officers, graduate planners, and trainees.
  
• Provide technical guidance and quality assurance for reports and recommendations prepared by team members.
  
• Lead on staff development, training, coaching, and performance improvement activities.
  
• Deputise for the Deputy Team Manager when required.
  
• Support service improvement initiatives and contribute to the development of policies, procedures, and best practice.
  

Stakeholder and Customer Engagement

• Represent the Planning Service at Planning Committees, working groups, public meetings, and community events.
  
• Build productive relationships with developers, consultants, residents, statutory consultees, councillors, and partner organisations.
  
• Coordinate effective stakeholder engagement throughout planning application processes.
  
• Deliver a customer-focused service while balancing competing priorities and statutory responsibilities.
  

Strategic Planning and Regeneration

• Support the delivery of the Council’s regeneration, growth, and development objectives.
  
• Contribute to strategic planning projects and major regeneration initiatives.
  
• Work collaboratively with public and private sector partners to secure high-quality development outcomes.
  
• Commission and manage external consultants where appropriate.
  
• Lead projects and initiatives that support planning service improvement and innovation.
  

Performance and Governance

• Ensure planning performance targets, service standards, and statutory deadlines are achieved.
  
• Maintain accurate planning records and case management systems.
  
• Ensure compliance with planning legislation, corporate governance requirements, and council procedures.
  
• Contribute to service planning, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement activities.
  
• Promote equal opportunities, customer care, health and safety, GDPR, and Council policies in all areas of work.
  

Experience Required

Essential

• Significant experience working within a Development Management Planning environment.
  
• Experience assessing and determining a wide range of planning applications, including complex and major developments.
  
• Experience preparing and presenting planning applications at Planning Committee.
  
• Experience representing an organisation at planning appeals, hearings, and/or Public Inquiries.
  
• Experience providing professional planning advice to applicants, developers, elected members, and stakeholders.
  
• Experience negotiating planning solutions and securing positive development outcomes.
  
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or supporting junior members of staff.
  
• Experience producing high-quality technical reports and policy-based recommendations.
  
• Experience managing competing priorities and working to strict statutory deadlines.
  

Desirable

• Experience within a London Borough or Local Authority planning service.
  
• Experience with major regeneration and strategic development projects.
  
• Experience managing consultant commissions and project budgets.
  
• Experience leading service improvement initiatives.
  

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Town Planning, Urban Planning, Planning and Development, or a related discipline.
  
• Eligibility for membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or equivalent professional body.
  
• Minimum of three years' post-qualification planning experience.
  

Desirable

• Full Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
  
• Postgraduate qualification in Planning or a related subject.
  
• Additional professional training in planning law, regeneration, or development management.
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the Town and Country Planning Acts and associated legislation.
  
• Strong understanding of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), London Plan, and local planning policies.
  
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
  
• Strong analytical, investigative, and decision-making abilities.
  
• Ability to interpret complex planning legislation, policy, and case law.
  
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
  
• Strong organisational and project management capabilities.
  
• Ability to manage complex caseloads with minimal supervision.
  
• Effective leadership, mentoring, and coaching skills.
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  
• Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.
  
• Proficiency in planning systems, databases, and Microsoft Office applications.
  

Additional Information

• Employer: Royal Borough of Greenwich
  
• Position: Principal Planning Officer
  
• Grade: PO3 – PO4
  
• Department: Place and Growth
  
• Service Area: Planning – Development Management
  
• Location: Greenwich, London
  
• Hours: 35 hours per week
  
• Pay Rate: £27.72 per hour (Umbrella)
  
• Working Pattern: Full-time
  
• Reporting To: Team Manager / Deputy Team Manager
  
• DBS Requirement: No DBS required
  
• Career Progression: Career graded post with progression opportunities in accordance with the Council's Career Grade Scheme.
  
• Payment: Bi-weekly payment schedule
  
• Start Date: Immediate start available
  

Closing Date: soon (early applications encouraged

Requirements
• Manage and determine a complex caseload of planning applications, including major and sensitive developments. • Lead the assessment, evaluation, and negotiation of planning proposals in accordance with national, regional, and local planning policies. • Undertake site inspections, consultations, stakeholder engagement, and negotiations to support planning recommendations. • Prepare high-quality planning reports, legal documents, and committee reports. • Provide expert planning advice to applicants, developers, consultants, councillors, and members of the public. • Deliver pre-application advice and guidance in accordance with planning legislation and Council policies.