Principal Planner

Position: Senior Town Planner (6-Month Contract)

Location: London

Contract Duration: 6 Months

Salary: £40,000 - £55,000 pro rata

The Role:

To support the Head of Development Management by contributing to the efficient, effective and proactive delivery of the development management function by:

• Advising on and determining a diverse caseload of planning applications, including major applications, enforcement cases and appeals;
• Providing pre-application planning advice and guidance.
• Contributing to the preparation of the Local Plan

 To work within the development management team within PPDT reporting to and providing support to the Head of Development Management as well as the Director of PPDT and the Head of Planning Policy on Local Plan preparation.

To be responsible for proactively evaluating planning proposals and providing professional planning advice. To liaise and negotiate effectively with applicants and agents, consultees, elected members, Government departments, residents, landowners and statutory and non-statutory bodies. To assist the Head of Development Management in monitoring and managing PPDT’s performance against agreed Development Management and project targets and with the management of consultants and PPDT budget.

• Contribute to the implementation of a high-quality planning service which delivers a successful Olympic legacy by facilitating the physical, social, economic and environmental regeneration.

• Proactively evaluate applicants’ proposals at the pre-application stage, advising on planning processes, planning policy compliance and the appropriate content of planning applications and other planning submissions. 

• To negotiate scheme amendments and mediate between different planning interests to ensure good planning and policy compliant outcomes and the regeneration objectives.

• To prepare appropriate planning conditions and to lead negotiations on s.106 legal agreements including instructing PPDT’s legal advisors.

•  To monitor planning permissions and s.106 agreements, preparing schedules or other tools to monitor conditions and planning obligations discharges.

• Attend and present reports and briefings to the Planning Committee and attend other meetings, panels and working groups.

•  To manage public consultation on planning proposals and applications, including attendance at events, exhibitions and public meetings. To attend technical meetings and working groups with statutory and non-statutory agencies.

• To facilitate and contribute to joint working and the duty to cooperate with London Boroughs, the GLA and statutory and non-statutory consultees.

• Contribute to the preparation of the Local Plan as directed by the Head of Planning Policy, including the formulation of development management policies. To prepare, review and monitor Development Management procedures and processes as directed by the Head of Development Management.

• To prepare briefs for, instruct and manage specialist consultants to support the development management and local plan preparation functions.

• To prepare evidence and submit statements of case for planning appeals. As appropriate appear at hearings and public inquiries, representing the Local Planning Authority.

• To undertake site visits, including the investigation of alleged breaches of planning control.

• Provide written and verbal advice including responding to general planning queries from members of the public and contribute to the efficient and effective operation of the Development Management Team by liaising with other team members on a day to day basis and assisting in providing Development Management cover (phone or drop-in queries) as required.

• Assisting the Head of Development Management in monitoring and managing PPDT’s performance against agreed Development Management and project targets and with the management of consultants and PPDT budget.

• Undertaking the managed supervision of non-senior members of PPDT staff or interns as appropriate;

• Support and maintain a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence, actively contributing to corporate priority themes and the organisation’s overall delivery aims.

• Take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others and take responsibility for ensuring all activities carried out promote the value of a diverse workforce and do not discriminate against sections of the community covered by equality legislation.

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of technical competency areas and take a proactive approach to self development and performance improvement.

Requirements:

• Educated to degree level with appropriate town planning qualifications or equivalent and eligibility for membership of an appropriate professional body

• Minimum of five years’ experience working within the town planning profession, with a demonstrable track record of working in development management. including the assessment of planning applications, in particular major development proposals, and preparation of reports to senior officers and planning committee.

• Detailed and demonstrable practical experience of all aspects of the statutory planning processes.

• Experience of carrying out stakeholder and public consultation and engagement, and demonstrable experience of developing effective relationships and working in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders, including statutory and non-statutory organisations and elected representatives

• Experience of coordinating work and liaising with other public and /or professional organisations

• A good understanding of the political, policy, social, environmental and economic issues relating to East London and the delivery of the Olympic Park legacy and fringe areas.

• Experience of working within a team environment

• Experience of supervising or mentoring of junior staff