Senior Planning Officer

Senior Planning Officer

Location: Brympton Way, Yeovil, BA202HT
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 3+ Months
Working Hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 17:00, 37 Hours per week
Pay Rate: £36.25 per hour 
Job Ref: OR13252

Job Responsibilities

• Manage and determine a varied and complex caseload of planning applications, including major development projects, through negotiation with developers and agents, considering third-party comments, and drafting reports for Planning Committee and delegated decisions.

• Provide support and guidance to planning officers and consultees in processing planning applications, monitoring compliance, and other planning functions to meet agreed timescales and deliver appropriate development.

• Prepare appeal statements and attend hearings and public inquiries as an expert witness to represent and defend the Local Planning Authority's decisions.

• Respond promptly to enquiries from developers, members, and the public on development matters, ensuring efficient and reliable service considering relevant legislation, case law policies, and Council procedures.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, organizational policy, and professional codes of conduct, reflecting best practices and promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.

• Process applications for a wide range of development schemes, including major planning applications, by negotiating with developers and agents while balancing material considerations, site constraints, planning policy, and third-party comments.

• Provide professional support and guidance to planning officers in processing applications for planning permission, listed building consent, notifications, conservation area consent, and advertisement consent.

• Attend Planning Committee meetings, present oral reports on development management matters, and take necessary follow-up actions.

• Prepare appeal statements or proofs of evidence and act as an expert witness for the Local Planning Authority in connection with planning and enforcement appeals, public inquiries, informal hearings, and court hearings.

• Process planning applications, conduct site visits, and make recommendations on planning applications, certificates of lawfulness, proposals, and related matters to Planning Committee or through delegated processes.

• Assess planning merits and provide reports to Planning Committee and delegated decisions, negotiate compliance matters, and establish solutions or resolutions with a focus on continuous improvement and customer service.

• Provide general advice to the public, members, and developers regarding planning permission requirements, planning and enforcement processes, and advise on required actions to support solutions or resolutions.

• Conduct Monitoring and Compliance activities, investigate and resolve complaints regarding breaches of planning control, and undertake site visits, surveys, and inspections.

• Undertake training and development to maintain and develop expertise and knowledge in line with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) standards.

• Execute other reasonable duties appropriate to the appointment and grading of the post.

Person Specifications

• Qualifications: Degree in Town Planning or related subject and equivalent experience. Membership of (or eligibility to join) the RTPI is essential.

• Knowledge:

  • Ability to provide detailed advice across a range of planning issues in a development management/planning environment, including process and procedural matters.

  • Good knowledge of planning, enforcement, planning policy, case law, and relevant legislation.

  • Interpretation of relevant planning legislation and case law in respect of issues arising from pre-application enquiries, applications, appeals, and planning enforcement.

• Skills:

  • Good negotiation skills and the ability to contribute positively to the resolution of issues.

  • Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines, prioritizing, organizing, and planning own and others' fluctuating workloads.

  • Ability to communicate clearly and proactively with a range of stakeholders.

  • Adaptation and responding to change.

  • Ability to use influence and persuasion to achieve objectives.

  • Ability to use thoughtful judgment to manage complex service delivery.

  • Flexible approach to the working day.

  • Shares knowledge and expertise with others.

• Experience:

  • Experience of working at a Senior level in Development Management and managing a caseload to maintain performance targets.

  • Experience of defending the Council at appeal (Hearing/Inquiry) is desirable.

  • Experience of working within a team to support team development and CPD.

 
 
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