Town Planning Officer

Town Planning Major Development Officer
Sittingbourne / Hybrid Working
£70.72 per hour Umbrella

A Local Authority in Kent is seeking an experienced Town Planning Major Development Officer to join their Planning Service on an interim basis. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly skilled planning professional to manage a diverse portfolio of significant development proposals while supporting the development of junior colleagues.
You will be responsible for handling a varied caseload of complex major planning applications. These may include large-scale residential developments, strategic housing schemes, commercial projects, and energy-related developments.
Key Responsibilities

• Manage and determine a portfolio of major planning applications from submission through to decision.
• Assess complex planning proposals and provide clear, well-reasoned recommendations.
• Negotiate with applicants, developers, consultees, stakeholders and elected members to secure positive planning outcomes.
• Prepare detailed reports and recommendations under delegated powers.
• Attend Planning Committee meetings and present applications as required.
• Provide mentoring and technical support to a Planner or Senior Planner.
• Exercise delegated authority on applications where the case officer is the planner you are mentoring.
• Ensure decisions are made in accordance with planning legislation, local policies and national guidance.

Experience To be considered, you will be a qualified Town Planner with substantial experience managing major planning applications within a local authority environment.
You will possess:

• Degree qualification in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience handling major and strategic development proposals.
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation, policy and development management processes.
• Experience assessing complex residential, commercial and/or energy-related schemes.
• Excellent report-writing, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to work independently whilst providing mentoring and professional support to colleagues.
• Membership of the RTPI (or eligibility) is desirable.
• Hybrid working model.

Approximately one day per week in the office, with attendance at monthly Planning Committee meetings as required.