Principal Planning Officer

Purpose of the Job Principal Planning Officer

As a principal planning officer in the Development Management team you will have opportunities to shape and influence Knowsleys future growth by dealing with some of the strategic applications the Council will be considering. You will provide expert advice to Members and stakeholders, and contribute to strategic growth initiatives.

You will also mentor junior officers and help drive service improvements.

Duties and Responsibilities Principal Planning Officer

This is not a comprehensive list of all the tasks, which may be required of the post holder. It is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the work to be undertaken.

• To manage a varied major development caseload, consisting of the Knowsleys most high profile and complex residential and commercial development schemes. This includes:

• Principal Planning Officer To apply advanced practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of legislation, policy and practice relating to a varied and complex major development caseload.

• To coordinate and analyse detailed plans and technical reports submitted in support of development proposals.

• To undertake site visits to assess site conditions and context to fully inform analysis of technical reports and development proposals.

• To liaise and consult with internal and external colleagues, and partner agencies, including the analysis and synthesis of a range of detailed technical advice relating to development proposals.

• To manage the negotiations and define with applicants the appropriate commuted financial contributions and / or delivery of various mitigation and enhancements, including scrutinising viability assessments, within the context of the Councils policy framework and ensuring the best outcome for the Council.

• To draft schedules and formulas for planning legal agreements ensuring the timely and effective negotiation of and processing of significant S106 legal agreements and Unilateral Undertakings in relation to planning decisions.

• To report directly to and brief the Councils programme sponsors including the Chief Executive, Executive Director/Assistant Executive Director on relevant Development Management issues.

• To produce high quality, detailed committee reports, making appropriate recommendations.

• To research and prepare evidence for planning appeals and present the Councils case at Public Inquiries, informal hearings or through written representations.

• To manage the negotiations between applicants and technical and external professional bodies throughout the Development Management process, including the authorising of the discharging of planning conditions and ensuring that agreed contributions are secured.

• To support the Enforcement Officers, as appropriate, in the successful resolution of breaches of planning control.

• To check fees and charges for planning applications and services as necessary.

• To explain technical issues relating to the Councils most complex and high profile developments to a range of audiences from Director level to members of the public and ability to deal effectively with contentious issues.

• To analyse technical and complex issues quickly and under pressure and to seek workable and innovative solutions to unforeseen problems as they arise to secure the expedient delivery of high quality developments.

• Principal Planning Officer To provide an enhanced pro-active service to investors and applicants, to expedite the accelerated delivery of the Councils Major Development Programme. This includes: