Planning Officer

Job Category: Planning
Location: Laurence House – Fourth Floor, Lewisham Council
Hours Per Week: 35.00
Start Date: Immediate Start
Start Time: 09:00
End Time: 17:00
Salary: £23.56

We are seeking up to two suitably qualified planners for entry level opportunity with London Borough of Lewisham Development Management Team with opportunity to progress for the right candidates.
Hybrid working role: must be able to work from Catford office (Laurence House) every Tuesday and Wednesday. Can work remotely other days but can also work in the office if the candidate prefers.
Must be located to be able to conduct site visits with 24hrs notice so London or accessible Home Counties preferable. We will consider candidates from farther afield subject to their committing to moving prior to taking on the role. We are also open to overseas candidates on the same basis.

Main Purpose of the job:
• To manage and process all planning applications and other related development control work.
• To ensure that development is in accordance with current planning legislation, the Council’s planning policies and sound planning principles.
• To provide planning information and advice, including Pre-application advice.
• To assist with technical validation, registering and consultation on planning applications as required.

Knowledge:
Fully trained town planner conversant with :
• Town and Country Planning Acts
• Development Management procedures, Central Government Policy Guidance and associated regulations.
• The London Plan and Local Development Plans
• Broader Council-wide Corporate and Planning issues

Aptitude:
• The ability to give limited advice to Planning Support Officers and more junior members of the team as appropriate.
• Ability to liaise closely with Planning Support Officers and other staff.
• Ability to coach and motivate junior members of staff.
• Ability to accurately assess a range of proposals and produce accurate reports with minimal checking/alteration.
• Ability to produce high quality work, whilst maintaining performance targets.
• Ability to provide advice and to interpret and apply policy.

Skills:
• Good writing skills to enable the preparation of clear and accurate reports and to deal efficiently with general correspondence.
• Clear verbal communications, including explaining technical planning information and giving advice to non-technical people.
• Carry out straight forward negotiations with the public, developers, builders, architects etc.
• Prioritising own work to respond successfully to frequent changes in work whilst maintaining performance.

Experience:
• Experience of Development Management work, dealing with all householder applications, Lawful Development Certificates and simple changes of use with limited supervision.
• Experience of dealing with complex Minor planning applications with support from senior planning officers.
• Experience of representing the Council at written representation appeals.

General Education:
• Town planning degree or recognised degree (e.g. Geography, Economics, Environmental Studies etc.) leading to membership of the RTPI.

Personal Qualities:
• Able to work as part of a team.
• A high level of motivation for town planning and environmental issues and as appropriate, to be prepared to undertake formal training with a view to becoming a qualified, experienced town planner.