Principal Planning Officer Development Management in London

Location: Walsall

Pay: £35.94 per hour PAYE

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Temporary from 24 August to 24 November 2026

Hybrid: 2 days per week in Walsall, including Tuesdays

IR35: Inside IR35

Start: ASAP / limited notice preferred

Interview: Microsoft Teams

We are recruiting for an experienced Principal Planning Officer (Development Management) to join an established planning team in Walsall on an initial three-month contract. The successful candidate will primarily take responsibility for complex minor and major planning applications, pre-applications and associated appeals. Candidates with additional team leader, deputy team leader, service improvement or project management experience are particularly encouraged to apply.

The Role

• Managing a caseload of major and complex planning applications
• Assessing applications and making recommendations
• Providing pre-application advice on significant developments
• Undertaking site visits and negotiating with developers and agents
• Determining applications under delegated powers
• Preparing and authorising reports for Planning Committee
• Presenting applications and reports at Planning Committee
• Dealing with planning appeals and preparing statements of evidence
• Representing the authority at public inquiries and other proceedings
• Advising and negotiating with developers, agents, Councillors and other stakeholders
• Supporting planning enforcement and protected-tree matters
• Assisting with the supervision and development of other Development Management officers
• Supporting service improvement, policies and procedures
• Maintaining high performance standards across the service

The Council's full specification confirms that the Principal Officer will deal with significant and complex major applications, sign off delegated decisions, present reports to Planning Committee and provide day-to-day support to other members of the Development Management team.

About You

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Significant Development Management experience
• Strong experience managing major and complex planning applications
• Excellent knowledge of planning legislation and planning enforcement
• Experience preparing and presenting Planning Committee reports
• Confidence negotiating with developers, agents and other senior stakeholders
• Experience dealing with planning appeals
• Ability to interpret complex technical documents and drawings
• Ability to support, mentor and develop other Planning Officers
• Excellent report writing, communication and organisational skills
• Ability to work independently and manage a demanding caseload

The person specification requires a recognised Postgraduate Diploma or Master's Degree in Town Planning and RTPI membership, or working towards accreditation.

Working Arrangements

Candidates must attend the Walsall office two days per week, including Tuesday, which is the Planning Department's all-team day, and must have access to their own vehicle. The role involves regular travel across the borough for site visits and may occasionally require attendance and presentation of reports at evening or out-of-hours meetings.

If you're an experienced Principal Planning Officer, Senior Planning Officer or Development Management Planner who can start at short notice, please apply with your latest CV.