Planner

Aatom Recruitment is looking for a Planner on behalf of a Local Authority.

Contract Duration: 4 Months

Hours Per Week: 37

Work Pattern: 1 day in office, additional committee attendance

The role:

• Take responsibility for processing a varied caseload of the most complex and major planning applications.
• Prepare high-quality reports and make clear, robust recommendations to committee or to the Assistant Director for Planning for decisions under delegated powers, on planning applications, policy matters, appeals, enforcement and other relevant issues.
• Support the management team by exercising professional and managerial responsibility for planning staff to ensure delivery of a high-quality, customer-focused service.
• Assist the service by signing off applications at delegated level, ensuring decisions are sound, defensible, and in line with planning policy and legislation.

Summary of Responsibilities and Duties:

• Lead on the borough’s most complex and high-profile planning applications and appeals, including strategic sites and large-scale developments.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on planning matters, ensuring robust decision-making and compliance with relevant legislation and policy.
• Lead pre-application discussions and Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) for major developments, ensuring timely and coordinated input across services.
• Lead and manage complex legal agreements, including Section 106 and other planning obligations, ensuring they are robust and deliverable.
• Advise and support Planning Enforcement officers with their day to day work including identification of breaches of planning control and the drafting of enforcement notices.
• Commission and oversee external professional services where required, managing associated risks and ensuring value for money for the Council.
• Represent the Council by preparing and presenting expert evidence at public inquiries, hearings, and in court for the full range of planning applications.
• Maintain a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of relevant planning law, policy, procedures, and best practice.
• Advise Councillors and other key stakeholders on planning matters.
• Contribute to the achievement of service performance targets and corporate outcomes, promoting continuous improvement and innovation.
• Represent the Assistant Director of Planning at committee.
• Assist in the supervision and instruction of other staff within the Division.
• Exercise delegated authority to sign off planning applications in accordance with the Council’s scheme of delegation.
• Give advice to staff on the implications that development may have on communities e.g. taking account of infrastructure, sustainability or educational requirements.
• Advise team members regarding liaising with statutory and non-statutory consultees to assist in the determination of said applications.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and scope of the role, as required to support the effective delivery of the planning service and corporate priorities.

Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to communicate orally in a clear and confident manner with Councillors and a wide range of people at all levels.
• Ability to write in a clear, concise and well-structured manner.
• Ability to present the Council’s case to Councillors, in court and at appeal.
• Excellent organisation skills - can handle a busy workload with efficiency and focus.
• Ensure on-going structured and rigorous approach to continuous improvement.
• Ensure that a proactive approach to workload is applied.
• In depth knowledge of planning legislation.