Principal Planner in Chelmsford

Principal PlannerBraintree District CouncilTemporary, Full Time55.00 ph umbrellaLocation: BraintreeClosing Date: 8th September 2026Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit a Principal Planner on a temporary basis for a period of 6 months. Please note role will be based 1 day per week on site.Job purposeTo act as Case Officer for strategic and major scale planning applications and appeals, including where Planning Performance Agreements are utilised.Accountabilities To take responsibility as case officer for key strategic developments, including all the related project management; consultee and community liaison; Council Member interface and engagement of specialist consultancy as tasked by the Housing Delivery and Growth Team leader.The provision of advice to Planning Committee on all aspects of Development Management relating to planning applications for which you are the Case Officer; preparing Committee reports and recommendations and helping to assemble agendas.To attend Planning Committee meetings alongside the lead Officer and present reports and recommendations where you are the Case Officer.To mentor and support Planners who provide assistance to the role in the context of specific development proposals at pre-application, application and post-decision stages.The implementation of all aspects of the Council’s plans and policies through Development Management and through liaison with the Planning Policy team and other Council Services.To assess planning and related applications, discuss proposals with applicants, undertake site inspections and advise the public on proposals, as appropriate.To prepare evidence for appeals and represent the Council at Hearings and Public Inquiries if required.To represent the Development Management Service, as required, in the development of cross-Service corporate strategies and projects.Skills, knowledge & experiencePlanning degree or equivalent qualification and eligibility for RTPI MembershipRelevant experience in a range of strategic and major scale development management work with a planning authority, including appeals, reporting to Committee and other formal and informal meetingsExperience of negotiating Section 106 agreementsExperience in a range of Development Management (DM) work, including complex applications, appeals and providing pre application adviceUnderstanding of Planning Law and national planning policies/guidance relating to DMAbility to interpret plans and understand related informationAbility to prepare clear written reports/statements fit for the relevant audienceAbility to present reports to public/member meetingsAbility to work to plan own workload and meet concise deadlinesAn awareness of the national planning policy perspectiveAbility to work as part of a teamCurrent UK Driving Licence and access to a carGood knowledge and understanding of equal opportunitiesWhy choose Braintree District Council? The Development Management Team at Braintree District Council is a great place to work. This role is needed to add additional capacity to the existing team rather than to backfill a vacancy and is reflective of the increasing quantity of exciting strategic scale work which the team is accommodating. The team at Braintree is a friendly, approachable and well established team with a positive approach and a high level of professional pride.