Development Management Team Leader (Planning)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Development Management Team Leader to provide temporary cover within a busy Planning Service. The role will provide operational leadership to a dedicated Development Management team, ensuring the effective delivery of planning services and maintaining high professional and performance standards during a period of temporary absence.

You will lead a team of Principal, Senior and Planning Officers, overseeing workloads, reviewing and signing off work, providing professional guidance and supporting the delivery of complex and strategic planning matters. You will also work closely with the Planning Development Manager and wider Planning Service Management Team to implement national, corporate and directorate objectives.

The successful candidate will bring substantial local authority planning experience, strong leadership capability and extensive knowledge of development management, planning legislation, policy and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day supervision and line management of a sub-team of Development Management Officers, ensuring high-quality professional advice and recommendations are provided to applicants, agents, Members, Parish Councils, external bodies and other stakeholders.
• Manage and determine planning applications in accordance with the Council's Delegation Scheme, including key strategic and major applications.
• Provide professional advice on complex, contentious and strategic planning matters, supporting the Council's economic, environmental and development priorities.
• Work with the Planning Development Manager to consider and authorise appropriate planning enforcement action where required.
• Oversee the preparation of Planning Committee reports, ensuring they meet corporate reporting standards and supporting the effective operation of the Planning Committee process.
• Monitor team performance against national and local targets, ensuring a consistent, high-quality planning service and robust application recommendations and appeal statements.
• Supervise planning appeals, including Written Representations, Informal Hearings and Public Inquiries, ensuring the Council's position and priorities are effectively represented.
• Deal with complaints relating to the Planning Service and support responses to formal complaints and Ombudsman investigations.
• Consider and respond to consultations and policy documents issued by Central Government, other local authorities and external agencies, ensuring the Council's interests are appropriately represented.
• Undertake site visits in accordance with Health and Safety requirements in connection with planning applications, development enquiries, appeals and potential strategic or inward investment opportunities.
• Support the professional development, motivation and performance of team members.
• Identify and implement improvements to planning processes, systems and working practices to enhance service delivery and ensure compliance with relevant standards and performance targets.
• Keep up to date with changes in planning legislation, national and regional guidance, policy and best practice and ensure these are appropriately reflected in service delivery.

About You

The successful candidate will be an experienced planning professional with a strong background in Development Management within a Local Authority environment. You will ideally have experience across a broad range of planning applications, including major, strategic, complex and contentious developments, together with a strong understanding of relevant planning legislation, policy and guidance.

You will also have significant experience of supervising or managing a Development Management team and a proven ability to drive service improvements, manage performance and maintain high professional standards. Experience of appearing at Planning Inquiries or Hearings as an expert witness would be highly advantageous, as would experience relating to Local Plan preparation, policy planning, plan-making examinations or major planning applications.

Full RTPI membership, or clear evidence of working towards full membership. Evidence of continuing professional development and a commitment to further professional development. Significant local authority planning experience. Significant supervisory or management experience within a Development Management team. Extensive experience of handling a full range of planning applications. Strong knowledge and practical application of planning legislation, policies, national and regional guidance. Experience of dealing with complex, contentious and strategic developments. Strong understanding of Development Management processes and procedures. Experience of managing performance and delivering service improvements. Excellent communication, leadership, organisational and decision-making skills. Ability to provide clear, consistent and legally robust planning advice and recommendations. Good understanding of emerging legislation and policy changes affecting the planning service. Experience of preparing or contributing to Local Plans and other planning policy documents. Experience of dealing with major or strategic planning applications. Experience of preparing and presenting evidence at planning appeals or Local Plan examinations. Experience of appearing as an expert witness at Public Inquiries or Hearings. Experience of Planning Committee processes and reporting. Experience of implementing new planning processes and driving organisational change.