Principal Planning Officers
- Employer
- Wychavon and Malvern Hills District Council
- Location
- Malvern, Worcestershire
- Salary
- £33,782 - £37,890
- Closing date
- 20 Feb 2022
View more
- Contract Type
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full Time
- Discipline
- Planning
- Function
- Team Leader, Manager, Planner
- Sector
- Local Authority
Job Details
Malvern Hills and Wychavon district councils are forward-thinking, proactive and successful Local Planning Authorities situated in accessible, exceptionally attractive countryside within South Worcestershire. We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Principal Planning Officers who will thrive on the challenge of managing a varied caseload of mostly major planning applications and appeals and deputise for our Development Managers when required.
We are an Agile employer – our staff only have a 40% minimum requirement for office working. The remainder of working time can be remote, working from home or other suitable location.
We are looking to recruit and develop the very best talent we can find. That's why, as well as a satisfying job, we offer a range of attractive benefits including flexible working arrangements, generous holiday entitlements, a local government pension scheme, plenty of opportunities for personal development and discounted gym membership.
Principal Planning Officer - 2 x Full time – 37 hours p/week (Part time working will be considered)
£33,782 - £37,890 per annum pro rata
HELP SHAPE OUR VISION FOR MALVERN HILLS AND WYCHAVON DISTRICTS
The Malvern Hills and Wychavon districts are already amazing places, with unique history and exceptional landscape quality, yet also places of significant opportunity.
We want the two districts to be somewhere everyone thrives. Delivering on the growth potential for these areas is critical to that vision. As a Principal Planning Officer, you will play a key role in shaping the way that the districts grow, balancing our strong emphasis on economic expansion with the need to conserve and enhance our rich natural and built heritage.
About the role -
Great planning and development are vital to our vision for the two districts. We need customer focused, creative and proactive Principal Planning Officers to help catalyse growth and create a real sense of place. The successful candidate will need to be confident in their own ability and have a good understanding of current planning legislation. Good communication skills and an ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders is essential.
You will assess a caseload of varied planning applications, preparing reports, dealing with appeals and general correspondence and provide pre-application advice on the telephone, by email and face to face. You will be in regular contact with applicants, agents, members of the public and other users of the service, you must be committed to delivering an outstanding service to all our customers and will need to support the Development Managers in the continuous improvement of a high performing service.
About you –
For the role of Principal Planning Officer, you will need to be a natural project manager and ideally have experience of dealing with major category planning applications, complex appeals and have a strong track record of negotiating S106 legal agreements and securing high quality design. You will have full Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) membership and be able to demonstrate a commitment to continual professional development (CPD).
You will have comprehensive and up to date knowledge of planning law and practice, be educated to degree level with a recognised qualification in town planning. You must have good computer literacy and be able to use MS Office, property databases and GIS systems.
The ability to work under pressure and manage a caseload of complex/contentious planning applications is essential. This is a demanding role, but an exciting challenge for the right candidate, therefore you must be committed and have a desire to succeed and develop your skills within the role. You will be required to attend evening Planning Committee meetings and undertake site visits so flexibility, a full driving licence and use of a car is essential so you are able to travel throughout the district including some isolated rural areas.
Excellent presentation and communication skills, an appreciation of good design, the ability to project manage major applications and negotiate planning obligations within tight deadlines, demonstrate outstanding customer care, strong computer skills and a commitment to supporting performance improvement are all key personal attributes that you will need to demonstrate.
Company
Working for Wychavon and Malvern Hills
Have you discovered what it's like to work here?
Watch this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8poN0yTgvI
Wychavon and Malvern Hills District Councils are rewarding places to work, with high levels of resident satisfaction and motivated staff who enjoy working for us. Located in south Worcestershire, both districts boast beautiful natural environments, a vibrant network of towns and villages, a rich heritage and plenty to see and do.
We pride ourselves on being progressive organisations spending time, energy and investment on what we know matters to our residents and communities – things like supporting our town centres and rural communities, creating jobs, keeping the streets clean, reducing our carbon footprint, helping people feel safe and preventing homelessness.
We are two Councils with one vision, with planning and place-making at the heart of our two corporate plans, and strong support for the planning function at the Senior Management level and with both sets of Executive Board members.
Working with you
Our staff are at the heart of what we do, and as a result we are always looking to recruit and develop the very best talent we can find.
As well as providing fulfilling jobs, we offer a range of attractive benefits, such as flexitime, generous holiday entitlements, a local government pension scheme, plenty of opportunities for personal development, and discounted gym membership.
As a shared service, the Planning function splits its time between Pershore and Malvern offices and we also offer the ability to work from home for up to 60% of the working week.
Working in Planning and Infrastructure
Covering an attractive and well connected part of the country with thriving villages, market towns and a host of heritage attractions, we are also a major growth area. Being strategically placed at the crossroads of the west Midlands, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, there is substantial demand for growth, both for housing and employment land. The Planning directorate works positively with developers, landowners and site promoters as well as our internal housing and economic development teams, amongst others, to ensure the right growth takes place in the right locations.
With over 28,000 homes on track to be delivered by 2030, the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review, which is in preparation includes a government target for an extra 11,000 new homes, as well as policies that will support business growth, rural communities, and the fight against climate change. As part of the emerging rail-based strategies, we are working to plan for and deliver four new strategic sites, including two new garden communities which we are committed to being carbon neutral settlements.
This is alongside a series of existing strategic sites with upcoming reserved matters applications due to be received in the coming months, a variety of major applications alongside an assortment of issues to be balanced in relation to minor and householder applications. The breadth of casework is vast stretching from rural hinterland and agricultural applications, to major urban extensions.
Exciting Opportunities - Career
There is never a dull moment in Malvern Hills and Wychavon Councils’ planning team and it is a great place to grow your CV and cement your planning experience. One of the strengths of the shared service is the well-resourced nature of the teams, including in Development Management, Policy and across our Specialist services such as heritage and urban design. Another strength of that team is that there’s always someone to learn from, who’s dealt with similar planning issues before, and who can support your
learning.
Similarly, there is always someone who will benefit from your experience and will seek your support. External learning and support for CPD is high on our agenda, and we are very receptive to listening to the suggestions of new starters who may join with bright ideas about service improvements.
Opportunities - Ideas to share with a collaborative team
We have fantastic opportunities to join an energetic, well-resourced and ambitious shared service. You’ll put your professional skills to work on a broad and challenging canvas. We’re absolutely committed to high quality design, sustainability, and the protection of our natural and built environment, as well as delivering the homes and employment locations that are residents, current and future need.
As skilled officers with a full or developing planning repertoire, you’ll develop an understanding of how to work collaboratively with our two sets of elected members, internal colleagues and external partners to deliver a great planning service.
Reputation of Wychavon And Malvern Hill District Council
Here is a fantastic testimonial from one of our Enforcement Officers in Planning: Why Work For Wychavon Council?
Social Media - Follow Us & Reach Out For All Opportunities
Website: https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wychavon?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
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