PRINCIPAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT OFFICER

We are looking for an enthusiastic and able development management planner who is a good team member as well as being self-motivated and able to demonstrate initiative and leadership. The postholder will need to be able to deal with planning applications relating to complex development sites as well as assisting the Development Manager in overseeing the workload of the Development Management team on a day to day basis.

You must must hold a post-graduate degree in Town and Country Planning or an equivalent and be a member, or eligible for membership, of the Royal Town Planning Institute.  You will need to have a thorough understanding of a range of planning issues and have excellent written and verbal skills to be able to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.  

You will enjoy the benefit of excellent terms and conditions, including flexible working hours, and a friendly and supportive team.

Assisting the Development Manager in overseeing the workload of the Development Management team on a day to day basis and developing the service and handling a varied caseload of more complex planning applications, enquiries and enforcement matters.

The processing of the full range of planning applications and dealing with general and pre-application enquiries and planning appeals,  overseeing the day to day operation of the enforcement function and assisting the Development Manager in the management and development of the Section and the provision of an efficient Development Management service.

The postholder is a nominated casual user for car allowance purposes, whilst the duties and responsibilities of the post justify this and must hold a full current driving licence and have a vehicle available.

KEY TASKS

Managerial –

Staff  Development & Management            

To assist the Development Manager in managing the staff and work of the Development Management Section.

To instruct and develop junior staff in Development Management matters as required on a day to day basis.

To assist the Development Manager in the ongoing development and improvement of the Service.

To deputise when required or in the absence of or as directed by  the Development Manager including the signing off of delegated and Regulatory Board decisions and the management of the Business Support Team, Land Charges function and representing the section at any internal or external meetings or activities.

Professional –

Planning and related applications

To process the most complex planning and other applications, notifications and consultations and oversee the implementation of development works.

To prepare written reports for inclusion into Regulatory Board and other such Board Agendas.

To attend and present applications and other such items to the Regulatory Board or other such relevant Board.

To deal with most complex enquiries and pre-application enquiries from the public and developers.

To prepare agendas for the Regulatory Board in the absence of or as directed by the Development Manager.

To allocate planning and related applications to individual case officers in the absence of or as directed by the Development Manager.

To be responsible for signing off minor and householder planning and related applications.

Planning appeals               

To represent the Council at Public and Local Inquiries and Hearings as necessary.

To prepare appeal statements and proofs of evidence.

Enforcement      

To investigate breaches of planning control in relation to personal caseload

To assist in the preparation of Notices as required.

To oversee the day to day operation of the enforcement work of the team.

Liaison and Consultation

To liaise as necessary with Members, the Public, other Council departments, other District Councils, the County Council, Government Departments and Non-Government Agencies.

To liaise and negotiate with developers in regard to planning obligations and development briefs and the implementation of development projects.

Planning Policy 

To assist as required in the formulation and review of planning policy in conjunction with the Planning Policy Section.

Administration & Registration     

To register and assist in registering planning applications and decisions.

Assist in the monitoring of the performance of the Section and the provision of statistical returns to DCLG. 

To assist with the review and implementation of new and existing working procedures.

To assist with Land Charge, Section 106 and CIL related enquiries.

Technical Support            

To use PC based word processing and GIS software

To use PC based development management systems (Idox Uniform, DMS and Exacom) and to input and extract information and oversee system changes to facilitate service improvements.

Professional Awareness   

To provide a good level of customer care to all stakeholders of the Section.

Health & Safety / Equal Opportunities / Safeguarding         

To act in accordance with, and ensure that service delivery complies with, current regulations, accepted professional standards, the council’s policies and procedures and appropriate legislation (including legislation on equalities, health and safety and safeguarding children/vulnerable adults).

The particular duties and responsibilities attached to posts are of necessity in many cases difficult to define precisely and, as such, may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility of the post.

Carrington West Pay Rate – £42,683 – £45,591

Job Ref – 20876

Please call Cameron de Wit on 02393 876014 for a confidential discussion on this role, or email myself or our planning team if you are short of time to chat:

cameron.dewit@carringtonwest.com

planning@carringtonwest.com

Carrington West’s dedicated Town Planning Recruitment Team supply clients UK wide on both a permanent and contract basis and all levels of seniority. If this role is too senior, too junior or in a location that is unsuitable, but you are keen on options, please still feel free to apply and we can discuss other, often unadvertised roles with you.