Senior Planner - Development Management

A busy Local Authority Development Management team is looking for an experienced Senior Planner who can take ownership of a caseload and make an immediate contribution. This is a hands-on role for a qualified planner with strong Development Management experience. You will be dealing with a varied caseload of planning applications, providing clear professional advice, negotiating effectively with applicants and developers, and producing robust recommendations and reports. You will need to be confident working in a fast-paced local authority environment, managing deadlines, dealing with competing views and presenting planning matters clearly at committee when required. The role As Senior Planner, you will be responsible for: * Managing and progressing a varied caseload of planning applications * Assessing proposals against local and national planning policy and legislation * Interpreting plans, appeal decisions, court decisions and relevant planning guidance * Preparing clear, accurate reports, letters and recommendations * Negotiating with developers, applicants, agents, residents and internal stakeholders * Resolving complex or contentious planning matters professionally * Supporting Planning Committee work, including occasional evening meetings * Using planning systems and reporting information effectively * Working independently and delivering decisions within required timescales What you need To be considered, you must have: * A degree in Town Planning * Full membership of the RTPI or RICS Planning Division * At least 3 years’ post-qualification Development Management experience * Strong working knowledge of planning law, policy and practice * Experience of handling planning applications within a local authority or comparable public sector environment * Excellent report writing, communication and presentation skills * Confidence dealing with developers, residents, members and other stakeholders * The ability to manage a demanding workload and make sound professional judgements You must also be able to attend occasional out-of-hours committee meetings and travel around the borough where required. Why apply? This is an opportunity to join an established local authority planning service in a senior, delivery-focused role. You will be trusted to manage your own workload, deal with meaningful planning matters and contribute from day one