Principal Planning Officer Development Management

Job 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 TeamsWe 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 RoleThis 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 applicationsAssessing applications and making recommendationsProviding pre-application advice on significant developmentsUndertaking site visits and negotiating with developers and agentsDetermining applications under delegated powersPreparing and authorising reports for Planning CommitteePresenting applications and reports at Planning CommitteeDealing with planning appeals and preparing statements of evidenceRepresenting the authority at public inquiries and other proceedingsAdvising and negotiating with developers, agents, Councillors and other stakeholdersSupporting planning enforcement and protected-tree mattersAssisting with the supervision and development of other Development Management officersSupporting service improvement, policies and proceduresMaintaining high performance standards across the serviceThe 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 YouWe 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 ArrangementsCandidates 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.

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