Principal Planner

• Flexible and hybrid working as standard
• at the offices in Woodbridge
• in the Development Management Team

Economy and City Centre Lead

East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work. It delivers essential local services and makes a real difference to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk. They are seeking a Principal Planner to join their South Area Team, which covers communities including Felixstowe, Woodbridge, Martlesham, and Kesgrave, villages, and rural areas.

This lead planning role will manage a team of planning professionals to support the delivery of the development management service within East Suffolk. You will also manage and assess planning applications and pre-application submissions in accordance with planning law, national and local policy, and guidance. You will be a lead contributor in the Planning Referral and Committee process, forging strong working relations with elected members. 

In addition, you will contribute to the wider Development Management Team, supporting colleagues with planning enforcement matters and delivering planning decisions of all scales whilst also assisting the Infrastructure Team to support infrastructure delivery through CIL, s106 and with external bodies. You will have a strong eye for urban design and good environmental awareness in decision making including experience of Environmental Impact Assessments

The purpose of the job is:

• To manage a team of planning professionals to support the delivery of the development management and planning enforcement service within East Suffolk.
• To work proactively and professionally with all customers to provide a high-quality development management experience within East Suffolk. With a focus on collaborative engagement with applicants and communities, strive for high-quality planning outcomes.
• To manage and assess planning applications and pre-application submissions in accordance with planning law, national and local policy and guidance.
• To be a lead contributor in the Planning Referral and Committee process, forging strong working relations with elected members.
• To uphold the decisions of the Council on planning applications through the appeal process.
• To work with the Planning Management Team to support projects to improve the delivery of the planning service including the mentoring and training of other team members.

Reporting:

• You will report to the Planning Manager (Development Management).
• You will be line managing a team of Planners at the Senior, Assistant and Trainee levels.

To be considered for the role, you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Considerable post-qualification experience in Development Management, with up-to-date knowledge of the planning system and planning law.
• Experience in appeals, particularly in giving evidence at public inquiries and informal hearings.
• Experience in leading major planning applications.
• Experience and knowledge of enforcement issues.
• Experience in screening, scoping and consideration for Environmental Impact Assessments.
• Experience in successfully and effectively managing staff.
• A recognised qualification to degree level or equivalent in a related or relevant discipline.
• Full Chartered Membership of RTPI or at a stage of APC completion where it may be ready to submit within 6 months of commencement.
• Have access to a car to attend business meetings at other sites/locations within the district as required.

• Salary band £52,805 - £56,985
• Permanent contract
• Generous employer pension contribution of 25%
• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days after 5 years of service

Step 1 - Read the advert and the full role profile.

Step 2 - Complete the Supporting Statement template (docx). Your statement needs to indicate how you meet each criteria in the Person Specification. Please use the template provided (other formats will not be accepted).

Step 3 - Complete the online application and upload your statement. Please note that CVs are not accepted.

For more information, check out the How to Apply Section of East Suffolk Council's Career Site

• Closing Date: 7 February 2025
• Interview Date: w/c 17 February 2025

For an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Ben Woolnough, Head of Planning, Building Control and Coastal Management.

Access & Inclusion

East Suffolk Council is a Disability Confident Leader employer committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair and accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, they have a duty to make reasonable changes to their processes. Please inform them of any access requirements in your application.