Planning Officer – AR

Job Description: Planning Officer (Development Management)

Job Title

Planning Officer (Development Management)

Job Purpose

To assess and determine planning applications in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Acts, national planning guidance, and the Council’s planning policies. The role involves managing a range of development proposals, providing professional planning advice, working with internal and external stakeholders, and supporting sustainable development, regeneration, and economic growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Examine, assess, and evaluate a wide range of planning applications, including residential, commercial, and regeneration proposals, ensuring decisions are made in line with planning legislation and Council policies.
• Review development proposals against relevant local and national planning policies, planning guidance, and technical requirements.
• Prepare clear and accurate planning reports, including recommendations for approval, refusal, or amendments to applications.
• Manage planning applications throughout the development management process, including reviewing supporting documents, consulting relevant parties, and monitoring progress.
• Provide professional planning advice and guidance to applicants, developers, members of the public, Council Members, and external organisations.
• Respond to enquiries relating to planning proposals, regeneration initiatives, economic development matters, planning policy interpretation, and development opportunities.
• Liaise with internal Council departments and external consultees, including highways, environmental services, housing, and other relevant teams, on planning matters.
• Interpret and apply planning legislation, policies, technical standards, and design principles when assessing development proposals.
• Attend meetings, site visits, and planning committees where required to present and discuss planning matters.
• Support the delivery of high-quality development that contributes positively to the built environment, local communities, and sustainable growth.

Key Stakeholders

• Members of the public and community groups
• Property developers and planning agents
• Council Members and elected representatives
• Internal Council departments
• External statutory consultees and partner organisations

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Degree-level qualification in a relevant subject, such as Town Planning, Urban Planning, Geography, Environmental Planning, Architecture, or a related discipline.
• Experience within Development Management or a similar planning environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of the UK planning system, including planning legislation and policy frameworks.
• Experience assessing planning applications and preparing planning reports or recommendations.
• Ability to interpret planning policies, legislation, and technical information.

Desirable:

• Experience working within a local authority planning department.
• Membership or progress towards membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
• Experience dealing with planning enquiries from the public, developers, and elected representatives.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess complex planning issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain planning policies and decisions clearly to a range of audiences.
• Strong report writing and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple planning applications and competing priorities.
• Good negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Role Summary

The Planning Officer (Development Management) plays a key role in shaping the future of communities by assessing development proposals, ensuring compliance with planning legislation and policies, and balancing the needs of residents, developers, and the wider public interest.