Principal Planning Officer Development Management

Location:

Walsall  Pay:  £35.94 per hour PAYE

Hours:

37 hours per week

Contract:

Temporary  24 August to 24 November 2026  Hybrid:  2 days per week in Walsall, including Tuesdays  IR35:  Inside IR35  Start:  ASAP / limited notice preferred  Interview:  Microsoft Teams
We are recruiting for an experienced  Principal Planning Officer (Development Management)  to join an established planning team in Walsall on an initial three-month contract.
The successful candidate will primarily take responsibility for  complex minor and major planning applications, pre-applications and associated appeals . Candidates with additional  team leader, deputy team leader, service improvement or project management experience  are particularly encouraged to apply.
###

The Role
This is a senior Development Management position with responsibility for complex planning work alongside supporting the wider team.

Key responsibilities include:

Managing a caseload of  major and complex planning applications
Assessing applications and making recommendations
Providing pre-application advice on significant developments
Undertaking site visits and negotiating with developers and agents
Determining applications under delegated powers
Preparing and authorising reports for Planning Committee
Presenting applications and reports at Planning Committee
Dealing with planning appeals and preparing statements of evidence
Representing the authority at public inquiries and other proceedings
Advising and negotiating with developers, agents, Councillors and other stakeholders
Supporting planning enforcement and protected-tree matters
Assisting with the supervision and development of other Development Management officers
Supporting service improvement, policies and procedures
Maintaining high performance standards across the service
The Council's full specification confirms that the Principal Officer will deal with significant and complex major applications, sign off delegated decisions, present reports to Planning Committee and provide day-to-day support to other members of the Development Management team.
### About You
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:
Significant  Development Management  experience Strong experience managing  major and complex planning applications  Excellent knowledge of planning legislation and planning enforcement Experience preparing and presenting Planning Committee reports Confidence negotiating with developers, agents and other senior stakeholders Experience dealing with planning appeals Ability to interpret complex technical documents and drawings Ability to support, mentor and develop other Planning Officers Excellent report writing, communication and organisational skills Ability to work independently and manage a demanding caseload The person specification requires a  recognised Postgraduate Diploma or Master's Degree in Town Planning and RTPI membership, or working towards accreditation .
### Working Arrangements
Candidates must attend the Walsall office  two days per week, including Tuesday , which is the Planning Department's all-team day, and must have  access to their own vehicle .
The role involves regular travel across the borough for site visits and may occasionally require attendance and presentation of reports at evening or out-of-hours meetings.  £35 94 PAYE   37 hours   Inside IR35   3 month contract  If you're an experienced  Principal Planning Officer, Senior Planning Officer or Development Management Planner  who can start at short notice, please apply with your latest CV.