Senior Planner (Development Management)

The Oxford Street Development Corporation has been established to lead the long-term regeneration and transformation of Oxford Street and its surrounding area to deliver a world-class public realm and safer, cleaner streets, and to support high-quality development, culture and economic activity that keeps the area thriving.

About the role

The role supports the establishment and operation of a new planning service within the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC), covering a strategically important area of Central London. With Oxford Street as its focus, the Development Corporation will receive a wide range of planning applications, making the role central to the effective delivery of development management, high-quality customer service, and the achievement of the Mayor’s strategic objectives for the area.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and determining a varied caseload of planning applications, including major schemes and appeals.
• Providing pre-application advice.
• Supporting enforcement activity where appropriate.
• Contributing to the preparation of the OSDC Local Plan.
• Proactive assessment of planning proposals.
• Provision of professional advice and effective negotiation with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Assisting in monitoring and managing the performance of the Planning Directorate against agreed targets and priorities.

What your day will look like:

• Manage a varied caseload of planning applications, pre-application enquiries and appeals, ensuring that cases are progressed efficiently and in accordance with agreed performance targets.
• Assess, evaluate and determine planning proposals, including preparing high-quality reports and recommendations for decisions under delegated powers or by Planning Committee.
• Provide pre-application advice and guidance to applicants and agents, helping to shape proposals in line with planning policy, design expectations and the wider objectives of OSDC.
• Negotiate effectively with applicants, agents, consultees and other stakeholders to secure high-quality planning outcomes.
• Respond to enquiries from members of the public, elected members and other stakeholders in relation to planning proposals, processes and timescales.
• Prepare clear, accurate and well-reasoned reports, appeal statement briefings, presentations and other written material for internal and external audiences.

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Possession of an appropriate planning qualification with eligibility for membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
• Experience of successfully managing own planning caseload, related to Development Management.
• Understanding of the working environment of a local planning authority.
• Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• An understanding of the local, regional and national planning policy context and legislative framework.

Building and managing relationships involves developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people; and sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Decision-making involves forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results.

Planning and organising involves thinking ahead; managing time, priorities and risk; and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Research and analysis involves gathering intelligence from varied sources, making sense of it, testing its validity and drawing conclusions that can lead to practical benefits.

This role is based at 19 Wells St, London, W1T 3PQ. In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme. OSDC staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role.

Equality, diversity and inclusion: London’s diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London’s diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.