Job Description

2 Days Per Week on Av

Principal Planning Officer

Responsible for a range of complex planning casework to deliver strategic outcomes for the Council. Accountable for negotiating on proposals to deliver high quality development in Somerset in accordance with national guidance, planning law and adopted local plans/other guidance.

• Responsible for decision taking under the officer scheme of delegation for planning and other related applications.

• Provide clear direction to deliver the Council’s strategic priorities and meet the Council’s financial targets, as a member of the Development Management Service Team.

• Support senior colleagues at Area Planning and Strategic Planning Committees and present applications for decision.

• Update and advise elected members in respect of strategic sites and associated matters including briefings and training.

• Using professional knowledge analyse and evaluate complex technical information to provide professional advice to statutory consultees, other departments of the Council, developers/applicants, members and communities to ensure high quality outputs which support the delivery of the Council’s objectives.

• Balance the competing demands of other council services and the viability of the development to make recommendations/determine priorities and negotiate complex S106 agreements to ensure high quality development is brought forward meeting the requirements of adopted planning policy and the delivery of infrastructure.

Signing off delegated decisions

Managing a small team of 2 - 3 officers