About The Role
Role : Principal Planning Officer REF 1797441
Contract Length : Until 12/02/27
Location : Hybrid/Telford - must be in the office Mondays for team meeting
IR35 : Inside
Pay Rate to Intermediary : Up to £58 per hour
Security Clearance : BPSS
About the Role
Spinwell is recruiting for a Principal Planning Officer for an excellent opportunity within the public sector.
To carry out the professional duties of a Principal Development Planning Officer. To be a lead officer within Development management, responsible for a full range of development control matters including determination of planning applications under delegated powers, to lead and manage multi-disciplinary project teams dealing with all planning control matters for strategic developments and enquiries leading a caseload of major applications, and related appeals and developer enquiries, and to input to the wider professional work of the Planning Service.
Key Responsibilities
To provide support to the Area Planning Manager in delivering a planning service that meets the objectives and Principles of Telford & Wrekin Council as well as statutory requirements
As a key member of the Development Management supporting the development and delivery of the Councils statutory and discretionary functions, leading on the development of strategies, procedures and policies across the planning unit.
To consider and determine a varied range of planning applications across the borough, with particular focus on Strategic Major Projects.
To lead and manage multi-disciplinary project teams, dealing with all planning control matters for strategic developments and enquiries, within set timescales, including carrying out necessary site visits and negotiation of changes and legal agreements to schemes on behalf of other Council officers and external agencies.
To carry out a project management approach to each planning application and pre-application enquiry.
To interrogate, analyse and balance data from many competing needs to produce reports, make appropriate recommendations and authorise decisions, under the Councils scheme of delegation to officers, or to Planning Committee.
To gather evidence and to prepare appeal statements, case files and other legal documents as may be necessary, and to attend and give evidence at public inquiries as an expert witness and other formal legal hearings both in their own capacity and as a lead officer representing the LPA supporting other members of the service..
To be responsible for the delivery of service priorities, aims and objectives assigned to the post.
The liaison with any party on behalf of the client, including organising and attending any meetings, including public consultation.
To provide relevant development management advice to the preparation of any matters that affect planning issues across the Council – this includes the review of developing local plan policies,
To also identify the need for specific Policies that affect Development Management, lead on the preparation, consultation and adoption – for instance preparation of Article 4 directions, local development orders, or specific Supplementary Planning Guidance
This post will be expected to deputise for the Area Planning Manager in a professional capacity.
Essential Skills and Experience
Postgraduate Qualification in Planning or related subject recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute
Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute
Evidence of relevant continuing professional development as required by RTPI. .
Experience of managing and developing multi disciplinary teams working on major projects within a planning environment
Significant working in a planning environment; with proven ability to work on highly complex matters,
Substantial experience of working with members at a senior level
Partnership working with other external organisations including other local government bodies, private sector organisations, voluntary bodies, national governing…