Civic Recruitment Limited
Housing Planner
London
£32.68/hr
Posted 2 months ago
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6 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Title: Housing Planner
Job Purpose
To lead on the assessment and determination of the borough. Most complex, high-profile and strategically significant planning applications, appeals and planning matters. The post-holder will provide expert professional planning advice, ensure robust and defensible decision-making, represent the Council in planning proceedings, and support the management and development of planning staff. The role will contribute to delivering a high-quality, customer-focused planning service that supports sustainable growth, corporate priorities, and community objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Planning Applications and Decision Making
- Manage a varied caseload of complex and major planning applications, including strategic developments and regeneration schemes.
- Prepare comprehensive, accurate and well-reasoned reports with clear recommendations for Planning Committee or delegated decisions.
- Exercise delegated authority to determine planning applications in accordance with the Council’s Scheme of Delegation.
- Ensure all planning decisions are legally compliant, robust, defensible, and consistent with local, regional and national planning policies.
Planning Advice and Development Management
- Provide specialist planning advice to officers, Councillors, applicants, developers, consultees and members of the public.
- Lead pre-application discussions and Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) for major developments.
- Coordinate multi-disciplinary input from internal departments and external stakeholders to facilitate high-quality development outcomes.
- Advise on the planning implications of development proposals, including infrastructure, sustainability, environmental and educational requirements.
Appeals, Enforcement and Legal Matters
- Lead on planning appeals and represent the Council at hearings, public inquiries and court proceedings.
- Prepare and present expert evidence on behalf of the Council.
- Support Planning Enforcement Officers in identifying breaches of planning control and preparing enforcement notices.
- Manage and oversee complex legal agreements, including Section 106 Agreements and other planning obligations, ensuring enforceability and effective delivery.
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Leadership and Staff Management
- Support the Planning Management Team in delivering an efficient, customer-focused service.
- Provide professional guidance, mentoring and supervision to junior planning staff.
- Assist in allocating work and monitoring performance to ensure service objectives and deadlines are achieved.
- Promote continuous improvement, innovation and best practice within the planning service.
Stakeholder Management
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with Councillors, statutory consultees, developers, community groups and other stakeholders.
- Attend and represent the Assistant Director of Planning at meetings, committees and public events where required.
- Provide clear and professional advice to elected Members on planning matters.
Service Improvement and Corporate Contribution
- Contribute to achieving service performance indicators and corporate objectives.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of planning legislation, policy and best practice.
- Commission and manage external consultants where required, ensuring value for money and quality outcomes.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post.
Essential Experience
- Significant experience in Development Management within a local authority or comparable planning environment.
- Proven experience of handling major, complex and high-profile planning applications.
- Experience of preparing reports for Planning Committees and delegated decision-making.
- Experience of managing planning appeals, including public inquiries and hearings.
- Experience of negotiating Section 106 Agreements and other planning obligations.
- Experience of providing professional planning advice to senior stakeholders, elected Members and developers.
- Experience of supervising, mentoring or managing planning staff.
- Experience of working effectively under pressure and managing competing priorities.
Desirable Experience
- Experience of Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs).
- Experience of representing a local authority at court proceedings.
- Experience of managing external consultants and professional advisers.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Town Planning or a related discipline.
- Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) or eligible for membership.
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
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Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in Town Planning or a related field.
- Management or leadership qualification.
Knowledge
- In-depth knowledge of planning legislation, policy and procedures.
- Strong understanding of the Town and Country Planning Act and associated regulations.
- Knowledge of planning enforcement processes and appeals procedures.
- Understanding of local government decision-making processes.
- Knowledge of planning obligations, including Section 106 Agreements and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
- Awareness of current planning issues, national policy frameworks and emerging best practice.
Skills and Abilities
- Excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly and confidently.
- Strong report writing and analytical skills.
- Ability to present and defend the Council's position at Committee, appeal, inquiry and court proceedings.
- Strong organisational and project management skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and meet statutory deadlines.
- Effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Ability to lead, mentor and support colleagues.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
- Ability to interpret technical plans, drawings and complex supporting documents.
- Proactive, solution-focused and customer-oriented approach.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and service excellence.
Additional Information
- Location: Churchill Court, 2 Westmoreland Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1AS, United Kingdom.
- Working Pattern: Hybrid working arrangement with a requirement to attend the office 1 day per week, alongside attendance at Planning Committees, site visits, public inquiries, hearings and stakeholder meetings as required.
- Hours: 37 hours per week.
- Rate: £32.68 per hour (Limited Company/Umbrella).
- Contract Type: Interim/Contract opportunity.
- We operate on a bi-weekly payment schedule.
- Closing date: Soon – early applications are encouraged.
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