Senior Planning Officer

Job Description

Job Category : Planning
Location : County Hall, Somerset Council
Hours Per Week :37.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:30
Salary: £36.25

Role Purpose
To be responsible for the processing and determination of a varied and complex caseload of planning applications (including major development – economic, inward investment, change of use and residential schemes) across Somerset, through negotiation with developers and their agents, considering third party comments, liaising with members and drafting reports to Planning Committee and for delegated decisions.

To provide support and guidance to planning officers and consultees dealing with the processing of planning applications, undertaking monitoring and compliance functions and other planning functions to meet agreed timescales, make robust decisions, and deliver appropriate development. To prepare appeal statements and attend hearings and public enquiries as expert witness in connection with planning and enforcement appeals, to represent the Local Planning Authority and defend its decision.

Accountability

Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, organisational policy, and professional codes of conduct to uphold standards of best practice reflecting these for the team
Deliver the aims of the council’s equality, diversity and inclusion policies; health, safety and wellbeing of self and others; and Organisational values in everything you do, ensuring team members are also aware of their responsibilities and maintaining their understanding that Equality and Diversity practice covers both interaction with staff, service users and communities. This includes challenging discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity for all.

To work as part of the Council’s wider planning service, to process applications for a wide range of development schemes including major planning applications and those of a more complex nature, undertaking negotiations with developers and their agents, whilst balancing material considerations, site constraints, planning policy and third party comments.

Drafting reports to Planning Committee and for delegated decisions taking account of relevant legislation, case law, appeal decisions, policies, and the procedures of the Council.

Qualification/ Knowledge / skills / experience

Qualifications:
• Degree in Town Planning or related subject and equivalent experience. The postholder will require membership of (or be eligible to join) the RTPI (Essential)

Knowledge:
• Ability to provide detailed advice across a range of planning issues in a development management/planning environment, including process and procedural matters (Essential)
• Good knowledge of planning, enforcement, planning policy, case law and relevant legislation (Essential)
• Interpretation of legislation – interpretation of relevant planning legislation and case law in respect of issues arising from pre-application enquiries, applications, appeals and planning enforcement (Essential)

Skills:
• Good negotiation skills and the ability to contribute positively to the resolution of issues (Essential)
• Working under pressure and to strict deadlines, prioritising, organising, and planning own and others fluctuating workloads (Essential)
• Ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders clearly and proactively (Essential)
• Adaptation and responding to change (Essential)
• Ability to use influence and persuasion to achieve objectives (Essential)
• Ability to use thoughtful judgement to manage complex service delivery (Essential)
• Flexible approach to the working day (Essential)
• Shares knowledge and expertise with others (Essential)

Experience:
• Should have experience of working at a Senior level in Development Management and demonstrate the ability to manage a caseload and competing workloads to maintain performance targets (Essential)
• Should have experience of defending the Council at appeal (Hearing/Inquiry) (Desirable)
• Should have experience of working within a team to support team development and CPD (Essential)