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Role: Principal Planning Officer (Planning – Strategic Sites)

Ref: 5304386

Pay Rate: £48.38 per hour PAYE, with flexible holiday pay

Hours: 37 hours per week

Length of Contract: 6 months

Location: St Albans City and District, AL1 3JE

We are seeking an experienced Strategic Planning Officer to join a busy Development Management team, leading on major and strategic-scale development proposals, including residential schemes of 100+ dwellings and significant commercial developments.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planning professional who can work independently and confidently manage complex applications from pre-application through to determination. Current projects range from reserved matters schemes to large-scale outline developments of several thousand units.

Key Responsibilities

• Negotiate Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) with applicants.
• Lead pre-application negotiations, including meetings, site visits and liaison with consultees.
• Provide clear and robust written feedback to applicants.
• Process and manage major and strategic planning applications.
• Assess complex development proposals and negotiate high-quality outcomes.
• Prepare comprehensive officer reports and recommendations.
• Present applications and recommendations to Planning Committee.
• Manage a varied and complex workload while meeting deadlines and maintaining high professional standards.

Significant experience in Development Management, particularly dealing with major or strategic‑scale sites.

Proven experience managing planning proposals at both pre-application and application stages.

Strong knowledge of the planning process and ability to assess complex development proposals.

Significant experience writing planning officer reports and presenting cases to Planning Committee – essential.

Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex planning matters clearly and professionally.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and take ownership of a caseload.

Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities.

RTPI membership or eligibility for membership.

A proactive approach and a proven track record of delivering planning decisions that secure high-quality development.

This role would suit an experienced planning professional who is confident operating autonomously, enjoys working on complex strategic developments and has the negotiation, reporting and committee experience required to deliver successful outcomes.

Job Ref: 5304386

Anticipated Length of Assignment:Unless otherwise stated (we do carry the occasional permanent vacancy) all of our roles are technically temporary, though opening assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.