Principal Planning Officer – Development Management

Description:

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