Principal Planning Officer X 2

Principal Planning Officer x 2

Vacancy type - Permanent full time

Salary - £39,355 to £44,510

Closing date - 9 July 2024

Location: Offering flexible new ways of agile working with the Council Offices based at Princes Road, Maldon available as required.

The Opportunity:

Maldon District Council are excited to share that they are looking to appoint two Principal Planners on a full time, permanent basis. As more senior members of the team, you will bring a breadth of experience and knowledge, and play a key role in a busy Development Management Team. The team processes in excess of 1,500 planning applications each year of a broad variety, which present an interesting and challenging mix of planning issues, including two Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

This is a great career development opportunity for professionals who are looking to broaden their experience or Senior Planners looking to step up into a new role within a friendly and supportive team.

Why Maldon?

Maldon District is a unique place with a population of 67,500. Located just 40 miles from London, with the bordering cities of Chelmsford and Colchester close by, the District is world-renowned for its history, wildlife, stunning 75-mile saltmarsh coast.

With generous holiday entitlement, flexible working hours and free parking as part of the benefits package, Maldon District Council are committed to supporting their employees and to make you feel that joining them is the right decision for your career.

Role Purpose:

To contribute towards the delivery of a high quality, customer focused Planning & Implementation service with high standards of advice and support, resolving cases of varying complexities in Development Management.

Ensure compliance with statutory regulations, legislation, professional codes of practice and adherence to Council policy. Deliver projects, interventions and initiatives and contribute towards service development in line with corporate and business plans.

To deal effectively and efficiently with planning applications ensuring cases are managed and completed at the appropriate level of skillset, pre-applications, planning appeals and general enquiries.

Ensure and develop appropriate levels of quality and specialist knowledge with other Planning & Implementation colleagues.

Key Accountabilities:

Deliver customer-focused specialist advice and services in Development Management, keeping up to date with current and emerging legislation, best practice and policy to ensure continuous development and improvement in services.

Manage complex and/or contentious planning applications, pre-applications, processes and compliance, regulations and legislation. Negotiating S106 agreements, Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) and providing resilience and flexibility within the service. Acting as the single point of contact for customers on those cases.

Prepare and present reports to Area Planning Committees, District Planning Committee, and other internal and external meetings and present evidence/stand as witness at planning appeal hearings and public inquiries, including court appearance as appropriate.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, as well as Members and managing key relationships with partners including Essex County Council and Local Councils and other stakeholders.

Contribute to the updating of relevant information systems, in accordance with Data Protection principles.

Acting as member of corporate or community project teams - providing planning advice and input, whilst managing any professional conflicts of interest.

Owning key professional and technical stakeholder relationships on behalf of the Council relevant to day-to-day delivery of services or projects.

Ensure own personal and professional development is maintained and maintain a thorough up-to-date knowledge of relevant law, policies, working practices and procedures.

Line manage Senior Planning Officers and Graduate Planners, as delegated by the Development Management Team Manager.

The Experience You Will Bring

Proven planning experience at Principal Planner level, or extensive experience at Senior Planner level is essential for this role, from either a local authority or private sector background

Educated to degree level in Planning or a relevant subject.

Ability to build positive relationships with colleagues and demonstrate excellent communication and negotiation skills

Thorough working knowledge of practices, methodologies and legislation within Planning.

Experienced in complex casework; able to give advice and guidance on a broad range of cases and topics.

Experience of managing planning appeals, including involvement in hearings and public inquires.

Interviews

Interviews will be held on 18th and 19th July 2024 at the Council Offices, Princes Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5DL.

This is an exceptional opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking local authority based in Maldon, an area which boasts an enviable quality of life and stunning countryside, yet within easy reach of London. We promote a professional work environment with a focus on self-development, innovation, and collaborative working.

If this interests you, we look forward to receiving your application.