Major Planning Applications Officer (£4,000 Welcome Bonus)

About the role

Join our Major Projects team and become a driving force behind the flourishing economic landscape of West Northamptonshire. We specialise in orchestrating expansive growth opportunities, ranging from residential urban extensions to cutting-edge logistics development. Our focus extends to fostering specialist employment opportunities, particularly in fields such as engineering and the prestigious world of Formula 1. Additionally, we are actively involved in the monumental HS2 project, contributing to its development and implementation.

Collaborating with prominent stakeholders, our team shapes and influences projects of regional, national, and international significance. From the intricacies in the world of Formula 1 to the expansion of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team in Brackley, to Silverstone (the home of British Grand Prix) and also, the transformative impact of HS2, The route of Phase One passes through West Northamptonshire for a distance of 20.7km. We are at the forefront of innovation and progress. Working closely with our Strategic Planning Committee, we provide invaluable insights to aid in strategic decision-making processes.

If you're passionate about making a tangible impact on the future of our region and beyond, join us in spearheading these groundbreaking initiatives.

What will you be doing?

Day to day, you’ll respond to requests for support from high profile stakeholders seeking to engage with the Planning Service.  You’ll lead and support on pre-application enquiries, give technical advice to the public, developers, agents, Members, other departments of the Council and other and bodies regarding development proposals, and make recommendations on major applications and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development. You’ll also support the Mainstream Application Teams where their applications require additional technical resource and input. 

You’ll also prepare planning appeal statements/proofs of evidence and represent the Council at appeal site visits, informal hearings and public inquiries as a professional expert witness. 

Throughout you will provide proactive support to our Customer Contact Centre and Customer Feedback teams, ultimately ensuring we deliver excellent customer service in every interaction for all internal and external customers, including Councillors. 

About you

We are looking for an individual with excellent communication and customer service skills, knowledge and understanding of planning legislation, case law and policy, planning techniques and the development management and enforcement process (including S106 and the community infrastructure levy). You’ll need practical experience that demonstrates a significant range of Major Planning Applications and development management activities and appeals. You’ll need a relevant degree and corporate membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute, and evidence of continued professional development. You’ll bring with you great interpersonal and team building skills and be the sort of person who consistently strives for continuous improvement and excellence. 

If you have experience as a Principal Planner, Major Projects Officer, or a Major Planning Officer, and want to be part of an exciting dynamic team! Then we want to hear from you!

Our benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days annual leave per year, 29 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
• Cycle to Work scheme. 
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Car Lease scheme
• Payment of professional subscription / membership - If your job description requires that you are registered with or are a member of a professional body, WNC will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
• Our West Ways of Working – We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
• Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people's lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.