Senior Planner in London

Senior Planner in London

London Full-Time 47925 - 51228 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
London Borough Of Lambeth

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead planning applications and negotiate positive development outcomes in a dynamic team.
  • Company: Join Lambeth Council, committed to community growth and inclusivity.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a supportive environment for career progression.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on Lambeth's vibrant community and shape its future.
  • Qualifications: RTPI-recognised degree in Town Planning and experience in development management.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team with excellent growth opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 47925 - 51228 £ per year.

Overview

Senior Planner REF: 2686PO3, £47,925 pa rising in annual increments to £51,228

Permanent Full time (35 hours)

The post’s salary attracts a market supplement of 8.5% per month

About Us

It is an exciting time to join Lambeth Council, we have bold ambitions for the future of Lambeth’s communities and residents through our Lambeth 2030 Plan ‘Our Future, Our Lambeth. To deliver on these ambitions, we have embarked on our transformational One Lambeth Programme ensuring we are ‘connected by purpose,’ in everything we do to deliver excellence. We are proud to have recently developed a refreshed set of One Lambeth Values and Behaviours that were developed for staff by staff; Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability.

About the Borough

Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community of over 317,600 residents. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London's largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community. With exceptional schools, lush green spaces including Brockwell Park, cultural gems like the Black Cultural Archives, and world-renowned institutions such as St Thomas's Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching and dynamic environment.

About the Team

The role sits in our Development Management team and provides a perfect opportunity for successful candidates to thrive and progress in their planning career developing important skills on exciting and challenging planning applications. There are three Area Teams within Development Management, each covering a number of diverse wards across the Borough and a wide range of application types and scale. This position offers an opportunity to join our dynamic management team and be at the forefront of developing new and innovative working practices. We are looking for an enthusiastic and forward-thinking Senior Planning Officer to be part of our team. We are forward thinking in approach towards equality, inclusivity, and diversity and pride ourselves on flexible and hybrid working arrangements.

About the Role

We have a Senior Planning Officer opportunity within our Development Management service. The successful candidate needs to negotiate the best possible development outcomes in a positive and solutions-led manner and help deliver a high-performing service. The postholder will work in a matrix way, being an integral part of the Development Management Team through dealing effectively with pre-applications, planning applications and appeals. They will need to lead on negotiating the best possible development outcomes in a positive and solutions-led manner and effectively contribute to a high-performing service. The successful candidate will be expected to present applications to the Planning Applications Committee, and to ensure reports and other documents prepared are of a high standard.

Candidates will be expected to demonstrate a significant level of experience and knowledge of Development Management, ideally in a busy metropolitan area; and that they are an effective communicator who can engage well with colleagues, developers, investors, partners and residents and build good relationships with Members of the Planning Applications Committee.

To be considered for interview, your CV and supporting statement will clearly evidence:

  • Thorough knowledge of all relevant planning legislation, policies and procedures.
  • An RTPI-recognised degree level qualification in Town Planning or equivalent.
  • Eligible for Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
  • Experience of development management work with responsibility for dealing with a planning application caseload that includes major and/or complex applications.
  • Demonstrate experience of ensuring applications are reported in line with target dates and in accordance with agreed procedures.
  • Experience of providing advice to Councillors, senior officers, developers and the public on all aspects of planning applications and related matters.
  • Experience of providing supervision and/or guidance to more junior staff.

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification in hyperlink below:

Contact Information

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Kiri Shuttleworth or Astra Spyrou at Recruitment Timelines.

Closing date: Sunday 22nd February 2026 at 11:59pm

Benefits

Please click here to view: Lambeth Staff Benefits

How to Apply

If you’re interested in this opportunity, click on the apply button and complete an online application. In your supporting statement, please clearly demonstrate how you meet the shortlist criteria marked with an 'A' at shortlist stage. We operate an anonymised application process, so be sure to remove personal details when uploading your CV or personal statement. Successful candidates will need to undertake a Cifas check.

At Lambeth, we are dedicated to providing quality services and equal opportunities for all. We are committed to safer recruitment and are proud to be a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer, and to guarantee interviews for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role.

We actively welcome applications from Lambeth Care Leavers.

Senior Planner in London employer: London Borough Of Lambeth

Lambeth Council is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises equity, ambition, kindness, and accountability. With a commitment to flexible and hybrid working arrangements, employees are encouraged to grow within their roles while contributing to the ambitious Lambeth 2030 Plan. Located in the diverse and dynamic borough of Lambeth, staff benefit from a supportive environment that values inclusivity and provides opportunities to engage with a wide range of planning applications, making it a rewarding place to advance your career.
London Borough Of Lambeth

Contact Detail:

London Borough Of Lambeth Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Planner in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the planning field, especially those connected to Lambeth Council. Attend local events or webinars to make connections and show your enthusiasm for the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Lambeth’s current projects and challenges. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and how you can contribute to their ambitious plans during your chat with them.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your communication skills! As a Senior Planner, you'll need to engage effectively with various stakeholders. Role-play potential interview questions with a friend to boost your confidence.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Lambeth team and contributing to their exciting future.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planner in London

Negotiation Skills
Development Management
Planning Legislation Knowledge
Communication Skills
Report Writing
Project Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Team Leadership
Problem-Solving Skills
Time Management
Advisory Skills
Relationship Building
Analytical Skills
Flexibility in Working Arrangements

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Experience: When you're writing your CV and supporting statement, make sure to highlight your experience in development management. We want to see how you've tackled major or complex applications before, so don't hold back!

Tailor Your Statement: Your supporting statement should be a reflection of how you meet the shortlist criteria marked with an 'A'. We love it when candidates take the time to tailor their applications to fit what we're looking for, so make it personal!

Keep It Professional: Even though we’re all about being friendly and approachable, remember that this is a professional application. Make sure your documents are well-structured and free from typos. A polished application shows us you mean business!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth process. It’s super easy, and you’ll get all the info you need right there. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end!

How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough Of Lambeth

✨Know Your Planning Legislation

Make sure you brush up on all relevant planning legislation, policies, and procedures before the interview. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but also understand the complexities of development management.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

As a Senior Planner, you'll need to engage effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated with colleagues, developers, and the public in past roles. This will demonstrate your ability to build relationships and negotiate positive outcomes.

✨Highlight Your Experience with Complex Applications

Be ready to discuss your experience handling major or complex planning applications. Share specific examples of challenges you've faced and how you navigated them. This will illustrate your problem-solving skills and your capacity to deliver high-quality results under pressure.

✨Align with One Lambeth Values

Familiarise yourself with Lambeth's One Lambeth Values and Behaviours: Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability. Think about how your personal values align with these and be prepared to share examples that reflect these principles during your interview.

Senior Planner in London
London Borough Of Lambeth
Location: London

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