Major Project Officer – AR

Job Description:

Major Project Officer (Planning) Job Title

Major Project Officer (Planning)

Planning and Development Management

Planning Team Leader / Principal Planning Manager

None

To manage a varied caseload of major and complex planning applications, including residential, commercial and energy-related developments. The postholder will provide technical guidance and mentoring to a Planner or Senior Planner, while exercising delegated authority to determine applications in accordance with the Council’s Scheme of Delegation.

The role requires the effective assessment of major development proposals, ensuring decisions are made in accordance with national and local planning policies, statutory requirements and corporate objectives.

• Manage a diverse portfolio of major planning applications from pre-application stage through to determination.
• Assess and determine major development proposals, including large‑scale residential, commercial and energy‑related schemes.
• Review planning applications, supporting documentation and technical assessments to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policy and guidance.
• Coordinate and evaluate responses from internal departments, statutory consultees and external stakeholders.
• Negotiate with applicants, developers, agents and consultants to secure high‑quality development outcomes.
• Prepare clear, robust and well‑reasoned officer reports and recommendations.
• Present applications and recommendations to Planning Committee where required.
• Exercise delegated authority to determine applications in accordance with the Council’s Scheme of Delegation.
• Provide mentoring, technical advice and professional support to a Planner or Senior Planner.
• Review and determine applications where the case officer is the individual being mentored.
• Contribute to service improvements, policy implementation and the achievement of team objectives.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with elected members, applicants, local communities and other stakeholders.
• Ensure applications are processed within statutory and agreed performance timescales.

• Determine planning applications under delegated powers in accordance with the Council’s Scheme of Delegation.
• Make recommendations on complex and sensitive planning matters.
• Provide technical guidance and quality assurance for the work of the Planner or Senior Planner being mentored.

• Significant experience of managing major planning applications within a local authority or comparable environment.
• Demonstrable experience of assessing complex residential, commercial and energy‑related developments.
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation, policy and development management processes.
• Experience of preparing and presenting reports for delegated decisions and Planning Committees.
• Experience of engaging with developers, agents, statutory consultees, elected members and local communities.
• Experience of mentoring or supporting the professional development of colleagues.

• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage a varied and demanding caseload effectively.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to make sound and defensible planning decisions.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to team objectives.

• Degree or postgraduate qualification in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Membership of, or eligibility for membership of, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

The postholder will work closely with:

• Planning colleagues across Development Management teams
• Internal specialist services, including highways, ecology, environmental health and conservation
• Developers, agents and planning consultants
• Statutory consultees
• Elected members
• Local communities and stakeholders

This role does not include line management responsibilities. However, the postholder will provide mentoring and technical leadership to a Planner or Senior Planner and will have delegated authority to determine applications where the case officer is the individual being mentored.