Development Control Engineer in New London

An experienced Development Control Engineer to join the Highways Development Control team within the Environment Directorate. This is a key technical role responsible for assessing the highway and transport impacts of development proposals, managing development-related highway agreements, and ensuring that new highway infrastructure is delivered, constructed and adopted in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, standards and specifications.

The role offers a broad mix of development management, highways engineering, stakeholder engagement, site supervision and project delivery responsibilities within a busy local authority environment.

Purpose of the Role

To support the delivery of all highways development control activities across the borough, including providing transport and highways advice on planning applications, securing appropriate mitigation measures from developers, managing statutory highway agreements, and ensuring the effective integration of new developments into the existing highway network. The postholder will help protect and enhance the highway asset, support sustainable growth, contribute to service income generation, and assist the Senior Development Control Engineer in delivering a high-performing development management service.

Main Areas of Responsibility

• Manage a varied caseload of development-related highway applications and agreements, including Section 38 (adoption), Section 278 (developer-funded highway works), Section 184 (vehicle crossings), highway licences and Stopping Up Orders.
• Provide technical assessments of planning applications and transport infrastructure proposals, review highway designs and construction details, negotiate legal agreements with developers and legal representatives, and ensure all submissions comply with current standards and specifications.
• Engage regularly with developers, engineering consultants, planning officers, legal services, contractors, elected members and members of the public.
• Represent the Highway Authority at meetings, provide specialist highways advice, prepare technical reports and correspondence, and contribute to maintaining positive stakeholder relationships across the development process.
• Conduct site-based responsibilities, requiring the inspection and monitoring of highway works to ensure compliance with approved drawings and specifications, identification and resolution of engineering issues, and support through to completion and adoption of highway assets.
• Administer deposits, bonds and fees, review invoices, maintain financial records, monitor budgets and support performance reporting.

Key Accountabilities

• Assess highway and transport implications of planning applications and development proposals.
• Manage and process Section 38, Section 278 and Section 184 applications and agreements.
• Review, approve and technically audit highway design submissions.
• Lead negotiations with developers, consultants and legal representatives on highway matters.
• Prepare cost estimates and engineering assessments relating to development schemes.
• Undertake site inspections and monitor highway works during construction.
• Support the adoption of new highway infrastructure and management of highway assets.
• Maintain accurate records of applications, agreements, financial contributions, bonds and deposits.
• Monitor budgets and contribute to service performance and income targets.
• Support the Senior Development Control Engineer and deputise when required.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, data protection, customer care and corporate governance requirements.

Mandatory Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum ONC/HNC qualification in Civil Engineering, Highway Engineering, Transportation Engineering or a related discipline, with degree-level qualifications preferred.
• A minimum of two years' post-graduate experience is required.
• Significant experience managing Section 38 and Section 278 schemes, including technical approval and highway adoption processes.
• Strong understanding of highways and transport legislation, policy and standards.
• Experience supervising contractors and monitoring highway works.
• Ability to provide professional technical advice to developers, consultants and stakeholders.
• Experience working within highways development management, highway authority, local authority, transport or civil engineering environments.
• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities effectively.
• Knowledge of construction health and safety requirements.
• Customer-focused approach and commitment to service excellence.
• Full UK driving licence or ability to travel throughout the borough as required.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Local authority highways development control experience.
• Experience managing multiple highway and infrastructure projects simultaneously.
• Highway design auditing and technical approval experience.
• Highway adoption and asset management experience.
• Project management skills.
• Budget monitoring and financial management experience.
• Experience preparing technical reports, committee reports or professional correspondence.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
• Experience contributing to service improvement, performance management and income generation activities.
• Ability to build effective relationships across multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.