Job Description

We are working closely alongside a Local Authority in Lewisham to assist with the appointment of a Senior Planning Officer, on a 3-months contract, highly likely to be extended at clients discretion. Please apply with your CV for immediate consideration.

Rate of Pay £25.94- £34.26 per hour

As a Senior Planning Officer, you will serve as an authorized expert responsible for managing complex, sensitive, and controversial breaches of planning law. You will play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of the borough's built environment by ensuring statutory obligations and Council policies are strictly implemented. This role involves a blend of high-level investigative work, legal proceedings, and mentorship, providing technical guidance to junior staff while acting as a primary expert witness for the Council in legal forums.

Responsibilities:

• Lead investigations into reported infringements of planning regulations, determining the most appropriate course of legal or administrative action.
• Conduct formal interviews under caution in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).
• Act as the Council's Expert Witness during Court prosecutions, Public Inquiries, and High Court appeals.
• Ensure development site work complies with planning conditions and monitor the expiration of temporary permissions.
• Mediate between complainants and those in breach of control to achieve resolution, advising on the procedure for regularizing developments via retrospective planning applications where appropriate.

Qualifications:

• A degree in Town Planning or a related discipline, ideally eligible for or holding membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Essentials

• Deep, up-to-date knowledge of the Town and Country Planning Acts, the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework), and relevant enforcement legislation (including PACE).
• Proven experience in managing a high-volume caseload of complex planning enforcement matters within a local government or similar regulatory environment.
• Significant experience in preparing legal evidence and appearing as a witness in a formal legal or quasi-judicial setting.
• Responsibility for the safety of oneself, colleagues, and the public during site visits and inspections.

Please note:

• You should be available to work immediately or at a short notice.
• You should have right to work in U.K

Disclaimer: Brackenberry Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. We are committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Unless otherwise stated all of our roles are temporary, though opening assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.

Important We will interpret your application as being permission to submit your CV to this role (with the right to represent you) unless you advise us to the contrary. Incase the role requires an enhanced DBS, your DBS must be either through us or be accompanied by a subscription to the DBS updating service.

#OR101751