Senior Planning Officer

Role Purpose

To be responsible for the processing and determination of a varied and complex caseload of planning applications (including major development - economic, inward investment, change of use and residential schemes) across Somerset, through negotiation with developers and their agents, considering third party comments, liaising with members and drafting reports to Planning Committee and for delegated decisions.

To provide support and guidance to planning officers and consultees dealing with the processing of planning applications, undertaking monitoring and compliance functions and other planning functions to meet agreed timescales, make robust decisions, and deliver appropriate development.

To prepare appeal statements and attend hearings and public enquiries as expert witness in connection with planning and enforcement appeals, to represent the Local Planning Authority and defend its decisions.

The Senior Planning Officers deal with major and more complex minor and other applications and all associated consenting requirements such as discharge of conditions and non-material amendments.

This can range from change of use, advert consents, prior approvals, major economic, inward investment and major housing development. Applications can include EIA development and Habitats Regulation Assessments. They provide pre application advice on in principle and detailed schemes and instruct and negotiate on legal agreements to ensure development proposals meet policy requirements and deliver required mitigation in accordance with legislation.

At this level, officers present at committee and defend appeal decisions through written representations, hearings and public inquiries.

The Senior Officers offer support to the Planning Officers and Technicians in terms of judgement, legislation interpretation and knowledge of case law, appeal decisions and policies. They are responsible for their own caseloads of applications which are subject to 8 and 13 week statutory determination periods as recorded through Government Performance tables. These officers have working caseloads ranging from 35-50 reflecting the more complex nature of the applications.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Town Planning or related subject and equivalent experience. The postholder will require membership of (or be eligible to join) the RTPI (Essential)

Knowledge:

• Ability to provide detailed advice across a range of planning issues in a development management/planning environment, including process and procedural matters (Essential)
• Good knowledge of planning, enforcement, planning policy, case law and relevant legislation (Essential)
• Interpretation of legislation - interpretation of relevant planning legislation and case law in respect of issues arising from pre-application enquiries, applications, appeals and planning enforcement (Essential)

Skills:

• Good negotiation skills and the ability to contribute positively to the resolution of issues (Essential)
• Working under pressure and to strict deadlines, prioritising, organising, and planning own and others fluctuating workloads (Essential)
• Ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders clearly and proactively (Essential)
• Adaptation and responding to change (Essential)
• Ability to use influence and persuasion to achieve objectives (Essential)
• Ability to use thoughtful judgement to manage complex service delivery (Essential)
• Flexible approach to the working day (Essential)
• Shares knowledge and expertise with others (Essential)

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