Our client, a local authority in St Albans, is seeking a Principal Planning Officer to join its Highways and Development Management function on a contract basis. The role will focus on strategic and major-scale development proposals, including residential schemes, commercial applications, outline planning applications and reserved matters.
Key Responsibilities:
- Negotiate Planning Performance Agreements with applicants and their professional teams
- Lead pre-application discussions, arranging meetings, attending site visits and liaising with consultees
- Provide clear written feedback and professional planning advice to applicants
- Process major and strategic planning applications through to determination
- Assess transport planning, highways and access implications associated with proposed developments
- Coordinate input from internal teams, external consultees and specialist advisers
- Prepare comprehensive officer reports with clear recommendations
- Present applications and recommendations to planning committee
Job Requirements:
- Significant experience in strategic or major development management within a local authority or similar planning environment
- Strong knowledge of the planning application and pre-application process
- Experience negotiating and managing Planning Performance Agreements
- Sound understanding of transport planning, highways matters and development access requirements
- Ability to assess complex proposals ranging from major residential schemes to large strategic allocations
- Excellent report-writing, negotiation and presentation skills
- Confidence working with minimal supervision while managing competing priorities
- Relevant planning qualification or equivalent professional experience
Role Benefits:
- Opportunity to work on high-profile strategic development projects
- Exposure to complex planning, highways and transport matters
- Collaborative support from experienced planning and design professionals
- Opportunity to influence high-quality development across St Albans
If you are a proactive Principal Planning Officer with expertise in strategic development and transport planning, apply now to support the delivery of major projects in St Albans.