Planning Officer – Development Management

Description:

Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract: Temporary – 24 August to 24 November 2026
Hybrid: 2 days per week in Walsall, including every Tuesday
Driving: Full driving licence and access to own vehicle essential
Interview: Microsoft Teams

We are recruiting for an experienced Planning Officer (Development Management) to join a small and busy planning team in Walsall on an initial three-month contract.

Priority will be given to candidates who are available immediately or at short notice. The successful candidate will primarily assist with new and reallocated householder and minor planning applications, pre-applications and associated appeals.

### The Role

You will manage your own planning caseload and support the delivery of an effective Development Management service.
Key responsibilities will include:

Managing householder and minor planning applications

Dealing with pre-application enquiries and providing planning advice

Assessing planning submissions against relevant legislation and planning policy

Undertaking site visits

Preparing clear reports, recommendations and correspondence

Carrying out consultations and statutory publicity requirements

Negotiating with applicants, agents and other stakeholders

Monitoring developments to ensure compliance with planning permissions

Supporting planning enforcement matters where required

Preparing statements and dealing with planning/enforcement appeals

Representing the Council at meetings and appeals where required

Managing your caseload to meet statutory and local performance targets
The full specification confirms that the role can also involve investigating alleged breaches of planning control and preparing enforcement notices, statements of evidence and, where required, giving evidence at hearings, inquiries or court.

### About You

We are looking for someone who has:

Previous practical experience within Development Management, planning policy and/or planning enforcement
Experience managing a caseload of householder and minor planning applications
Good working knowledge of planning legislation
Experience providing appropriate planning advice
Ability to interpret scaled building drawings and development layouts
Strong report-writing and communication skills
Ability to manage your own workload and work to deadlines with minimal supervision
Confidence dealing with applicants, agents, members of the public, colleagues and Councillors
A planning-related degree or equivalent relevant planning/enforcement experience
Full driving licence and access to a vehicle

These are specifically identified within the Council's person specification.

### Working Arrangements

The position is hybrid, but you must be able to attend Walsall two days each week, including Tuesday, which is the Planning Department's all-team office day.
There may also occasionally be a requirement to attend Planning Committee or other public meetings outside normal working hours.
£25\.27 PAYE \| 37 hours \| 3\-month contract
If you're an experienced Planning Officer who can start at short notice and meet the Walsall hybrid requirement, please apply with your latest CV