Planning Support Officer in Catford

The Planning Support Officer is responsible for providing comprehensive technical and administrative support within the Planning Service. This role is crucial for ensuring the efficient registration, validation, and publication of planning applications. The officer will maintain accurate records, support planning processes, and deliver high-quality customer service to a diverse range of stakeholders. Additionally, the role involves promoting chargeable services to maximize income, supporting the administration of planning services, and contributing to the accurate processing of Local Land Charges and planning-related data.

Key Responsibilities

• Planning Administration & Application Processing: Register and validate a full range of planning applications accurately and in line with procedures. Ensure planning documents are properly indexed, named, and published on the Council’s website, with appropriate redaction in line with GDPR requirements. Record all fees received and generate receipts accurately.
• Document & Data Management: Maintain electronic and paper-based document management systems, ensuring accurate filing and retrieval of records, including historic applications. Manage and maintain property/site records within planning systems, ensuring accuracy and alignment with central databases. Support data cleansing and ensure accuracy of spatial and textual information.
• Customer Service & Communications: Manage and respond to enquiries received via planning service email inboxes and other communication channels. Provide clear guidance or signpost customers to relevant services and information. Maintain high standards of communication with residents, developers, elected members, and stakeholders.
• Duty Planner & Chargeable Services: Administer the Duty Planner service, including booking appointments, preparing documentation, and taking payments. Promote pre-application and chargeable planning services to maximize service income.
• Local Land Charges & Research: Research and draft local land charge search results. Maintain and update the Local Land Charges Register accurately in line with statutory requirements. Process search requests and ensure timely delivery of outputs.
• Consultation & Planning Support: Support consultation processes with neighbours, members, and statutory consultees. Process correspondence, including objections and representations, ensuring accurate recording. Issue acknowledgements, notifications, and committee communications.
• Performance & Continuous Improvement: Ensure performance targets and service standards are met. Identify opportunities to improve processes and service delivery. Contribute to updating planning service web content.
• Additional Duties: Support data collection activities such as Starts and Completions monitoring. Create purchase orders and process invoices using financial systems (e.g., Oracle). Provide support to managers and contribute to wider projects and initiatives. Assist with training and mentoring new team members.

Requirements

• Experience Required: Experience in an administrative or business support role, ideally within planning or a local authority environment. Experience working with document management systems and handling large volumes of data accurately. Experience dealing with customer enquiries and providing high-quality customer service. Experience handling sensitive and confidential information in line with GDPR. Experience working to deadlines and managing competing priorities.
• Qualifications: Educated to GCSE level (or equivalent) including English and Maths.
• Skills & Knowledge: Strong organisational and administrative skills with high attention to detail. Good understanding of planning processes (desirable). Knowledge of GDPR and data protection principles. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and database systems. Ability to interpret information and provide clear advice or responses. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Customer-focused approach. Accuracy and attention to detail. Strong time management and prioritisation skills.