Senior Planner, Development Management

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Job Description

Salary: £44,208 - £50,424 per annum
Grade: F
Hours: 37hrs

About the Role

Thurrock Council's Planning Department plays a key role in shaping the borough's future, ensuring sustainable growth while protecting the character and needs of our communities. As a Senior Planning Officer, you will handle a range of complex and diverse planning applications, provide expert advice, and contribute to the council's place-shaping agenda. Your role will focus on delivering timely and effective planning decisions, working collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders to achieve high-quality outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Deliver specialist technical advice on all Development Management matters, including pre-application advice and the effective processing of planning applications, consents, and determinations.
2. Implement the council's place-shaping agenda, promoting the 'right schemes' in the 'right places' at the 'right times.'
3. Provide professional advice to the public, developers, agents, Members, and other stakeholders regarding development proposals and planning matters, through written correspondence, telephone, or in-person communication.
4. Assess and make recommendations on a variety of planning applications, preparing detailed reports for Senior Officers and Members.
5. Contribute to the development and implementation of planning policies to guide the borough's sustainable growth.
6. Prepare and present technical evidence in response to planning appeals and other legal challenges, representing the council's decisions effectively.
7. Collaborate with the Planning Enforcement Team on matters of unauthorised development to ensure compliance with planning policies and regulations.
8. Attend and contribute to meetings with external organisations, the Planning Committee, and working groups as required.

Skills and Experience Required

• Substantial experience in development management, including handling complex and sensitive planning applications.
• Comprehensive knowledge of planning legislation, policies, and best practices.
• Proven ability to provide clear, concise, and expert technical advice to diverse audiences, including stakeholders, elected members, and the public.
• Strong analytical skills to assess development proposals and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Excellent report-writing and presentation skills, with experience preparing detailed planning reports and presenting evidence at appeals or committees.
• Effective interpersonal and negotiation skills, with a focus on achieving positive outcomes.
• Ability to manage a diverse workload, meet deadlines, and maintain high standards of quality.

Why Join Us?

As a Senior Planning Officer, you will have the opportunity to work on a variety of high-profile projects, helping to shape Thurrock's growth and development. You will be part of a supportive team where your expertise and contributions are valued, and you'll play a key role in delivering Thurrock's vision for the future.

Advert Closing Date

• Internal & External: 2nd February 2025

Interview Date: TBC

For further information, please contact Ashley Baldwin at ashley.baldwin@thurrock.gov.uk.

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:
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About Us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council