Senior Planning Officer – Development Management, Northallerton

The Council’s Planning Services play a fundamental role in managing the natural and built environment, ensuring that the future development needs of the area can be accommodated to make it a better place in which to live and work.

This is an extremely exciting time to join us as we move forward as the new North Yorkshire Council, as we seek to complete the process of populating our newly created structure that looks to ensure we have appropriate capacity and expertise across the teams. The all-new Planning service is at the heart of change and development within communities across our vast and varied geography, making it one of the largest Planning Services in the country. We will tackle diverse projects from domestic through to national infrastructure – offering opportunities for staff to develop expertise and contribute to projects that shape our area. If you are ambitious about your future in Planning this is a great time to join us as we invest in building a world class planning service, whilst being community focused on a local level.

We operate a hybrid model of working, offering the opportunity for our staff to work from home, but also from a base within your ‘patch’ to enable you to be fully immersed within the community in which you will provide your skills and expertise. Bases of work include Selby, Richmond, Scarborough, Malton, Northallerton, Skipton and Harrogate.

Role summary…

The role involves the provision of planning advice and managing a caseload of planning applications and related consents, including planning applications and appeals submitted under the Town and Country Planning Acts and other related legislation. In addition to attending Planning Committees and other relevant groups to present agenda items and represent the service.

The post holder will help to deliver a proactive, customer focused and compliant ‘end-to-end’ development management service that meets statutory requirements. Including contributing to the delivery of excellent performance and customer service, planned outcomes, targets and objectives and continuous improvement.

Duties and responsibilities…

• To undertake all aspects of development management, with the objective of achieving quality planning decisions in a timely manner and ensuring that decisions are implemented in accordance with the relevant conditions.
• Managing a caseload of pre-application enquiries, applications for planning permission and other consenting regimes, and appeals submitted under the Town and Country Planning Acts and other related legislation.
• Provision of planning and other related advice.
• Attendance at Planning Committees and other relevant internal and external groups to present reports and represent the service.
• Detailed assessment of application submissions, provision of advice on suitability for the proposed sites for development, advice on improvements to accord with national and local policies, sustainability and promotion of design and environmental quality.
• Undertake site inspections, attend site meetings including formal Committee Site Visits.
• Preparation of appeal statements, proofs of evidence, statements of common ground and attendance at Public Inquiries and Hearings as the Authority’s Planning Witness as required.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post/grade as directed by your manager or any member of the Service Management Team.
• Keep up to date with planning regulations, policy and legislation.

Experience / Qualifications:

• Degree level education and proven equivalent level of technical and organisational knowledge in own specific field.
• Able to demonstrate an excellent knowledge of planning legislation and regulations.
• Eligible for Membership of RTPI.
• Knowledgeable and competent in the availability and use of IT systems, especially the use of Microsoft Office.
• Commitment to Personal Development and evidence of continuing professional development. Ability to understand and promote the Council’s vision and priorities as it applies to services.
• Experience of dealing with major development proposals through the planning process including experience in leading and planning negotiations.
• Ability to lead and take ownership of tasks and accept responsibility for the results.
• Effective customer care skills, including how to understand, deliver and manage customer expectations.
• Ability to work autonomously and with limited supervision.
• Analyse information from a range of sources, probing for further information or a greater understanding. Ability to persuade, influence and negotiate positively.
• Able to prevent and/or manage challenging behaviour.
• Taking constructive action to prevent triggers occurring and minimise identified behaviour. Acts in a manner which is likely to promote calm and reassurance.

What we can offer…

The service has embraced modern work practices, enabling colleagues to work from home, other offices and client premises. We come together as a team for development, connection and collaboration, otherwise we work where it’s most productive to do so. You will be provided with technology to enable efficient and effective work, ensuring that you are connected and well supported. You are provided with a comprehensive benefits package with an excellent employer defined pension scheme, enhanced holidays, and flexible working to help you thrive at home as well as work.

You will have the full support of the service to enable you to develop both knowledge and skills to help further progress your career.

Contact and Apply…

For more information/informal discussion please contact Stuart.Mills@northyorks.gov.uk (Development Management Team Manager), Fiona.Hunter1@northyorks.gov.uk (Development Management Team Manager), Nick.Read@northyorks.gov.uk (Development Management Team Manager), Daniel.Metcalfe@northyorks.gov.uk (Area Planning Manager).

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.