Principal Development Management Officer

Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) is passionate about providing high-quality services to our communities, residents and businesses. This means we must employ and retain the most talented and dedicated people. Situated within the heart of the Cambridge-Peterborough Growth Area, Huntingdonshire is a beautiful district that boasts thriving market towns and many attractive villages, each with its own identity. We are an innovative and forward-thinking local authority whose residents are at the heart of our decision-making. At HDC we want to employ staff who embody our icare values (Inspiring, Collaborative, Accountable, Respectful, Enterprising), all of which support our ultimate purpose of putting our customers first.

Our Strategic Development Management Team handles the largest, most complex and sometimes contentious planning applications/appeals that the council receives. Schemes include residential, commercial, mixed-use, renewable energy and other projects, many of which are supported by Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs). Our allocated urban extensions are delivering high-quality places, with further large-scale developments being envisaged in our emerging Local Plan. You will be acting as a case officer for a range of major applications, working with colleagues across technical specialisms and with external consultees, including community representatives, to understand, communicate, negotiate and make recommendations on the applications within your caseload. This interesting and varied work includes committee presentations as well as assembling and presenting the council’s position at pre-application and, potentially, appeal stages. You will be adept at identifying, assessing and balancing material considerations to reach an informed and balanced recommendation on each application.

We are looking for a proactive and flexible team player with an attention to detail and a can-do attitude, to work within a solution-focused project-based environment. The major planning applications and other PPA-supported schemes submitted in Huntingdonshire are varied. You will be the main point of contact for applicants, interested parties, internal stakeholders, external consultees and adjoining councils. The role is wide-ranging and can include:

• Liaising with a diverse range of people and organisations, on all levels of seniority
• Organising and attending meetings with applicants, taking robust notes of discussions and proposing solutions that balance the often competing needs of a variety of stakeholders
• Analysing large volumes of information against guidance and legislation
• Attending site inspections, in-person meetings and other liaison events
• Reviewing consultation responses and advising on an appropriate and robust approach for the council to adopt on a range of material considerations
• Assisting members of the public to understand and engage with an application
• Preparing reports, including recommendations to members
• Drafting letters and responding to emails
• Ensuring the milestones in a range of PPAs are delivered
• Deputising for the Team Leader (Strategic Team)
• Signing off on the recommendations of other officers, including on complex applications

You should have an RTPI-accredited degree in Town Planning or a related discipline and either be a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) or eligible for this. Strong project management skills are essential, and experience in leading complex planning projects from inception to decision is desirable. A positive, solution-focused approach to delivering sustainable development is essential. You will need to demonstrate your ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary teams, manage competing deadlines, and ensure delivery of high-quality outputs. You will have an excellent understanding of UK planning legislation and policy, including the Planning Act 2008, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, and Localism Act. Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills are required to successfully deliver this role, including working with local communities, developers, legal advisors, and statutory consultees. Understanding sometimes competing interests and positions is essential, as is an ability to balance differing priorities and clearly explain (in both written and verbal form) how those priorities interact when assessing the planning balance.

The successful candidate will have demonstrable expertise in critical assessment. Experience of taking part at public inquiry is desirable though not essential, as is experience with Planning Performance Agreements, using project tracking tools and digital planning systems. You will be accomplished in presenting applications to committee members and answering their questions, to support robust and properly-informed committee decisions. You will be competent in reviewing and analysing recommendations made by colleagues on their caseload applications, signing off on both delegated decisions and committee recommendations. You should have a full, clean driving licence. An offer of employment is conditional upon having the right to work in the UK. HDC does not hold a Sponsorship Licence and is unable to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or take over sponsorship for any role.

As an employer who values diversity of thought, we seek to employ candidates from a range of backgrounds in order to make our organisation more innovative. We are seeking candidates who are looking for their next career opportunity and are supportive employers, enabling our staff to work in an environment that produces high standards of work in an employee-led environment. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our recruitment and along with our values we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment, where diversity is valued and there is equality of opportunity. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community and we offer a range of benefits, including flexitime, to encourage a work-life balance.