Principal Planning Officer

Principal Planning Officer

Location: London
Contract: 6 months
Rate: £400 per day, umbrella
Working Pattern: Hybrid – 3 days per week in the office

The Opportunity
We are seeking three experienced Principal Planning Officers with previous local authority experience to join a busy planning service on an initial six-month contract.

The successful candidates will support the processing of a backlog of planning applications, managing a varied caseload ranging from minor to major developments. You will use your knowledge of development management, planning legislation and local planning policies to progress applications efficiently and contribute to the delivery of a high-quality planning service.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and process a varied caseload of planning applications, from minor to major developments.
• Assess applications in accordance with national planning legislation, procedures and local planning policies.
• Help reduce the existing planning backlog by progressing applications efficiently and effectively.
• Review planning applications, supporting documents and technical submissions.
• Communicate with applicants, agents and other stakeholders, providing clear advice and updates on application progress.
• Manage cases independently, prioritising workloads and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Work collaboratively with Area Team Leaders and colleagues across the planning service.
• Provide flexible support across two area teams, depending on service requirements.
• Undertake site visits as required.

• Previous local authority experience is essential, ideally within a Development Management or planning applications team.
• Significant experience processing planning applications within a local authority environment.
• Experience managing a varied caseload, including minor and major applications.
• A strong working knowledge of national planning legislation, procedures and local planning policies.
• The ability to assess applications and manage cases independently, with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage professionally with applicants, agents and stakeholders.

• Contract length: 6 months
• Day rate: £400 per day, umbrella
• IR35: Inside IR35
• Location: London
• Working arrangement: Hybrid, with three days per week in the office