Principal Planning Officer

Role Title: Principal Planning Officer Service Area: Planning Policy and Conservation Rate: £55 to £65 per hour Reporting to: Head of Planning Policy & ConservationLocation: WatfordWe are seeking a Principal Planning Officer to play a lead role in preparing the Local Plan and undertaking a range of other planning duties. This role involves providing policy and forward planning expertise to assist the Planning Policy and Conservation service in achieving the objectives of the Council.Key Responsibilities:

• General: Assist in securing the delivery of the Local Plan, including research, preparation of policy statements, committee reports, and attendance at committee meetings. Deputise for the Head of Planning Policy and Conservation in their absence.
• Local Plan: Assist in the preparation of the Local Plan as required by legislation, national policy, and guidance. Manage the work of junior section officers and liaise with other contacts to ensure planning policy documents are up-to-date. Lead on key pieces of evidence-based work and supervise administrative tasks.
• Public Consultation: Undertake public consultation exercises, resolve objections, and liaise with other authorities and outside bodies to ensure regulations are met.
• Representation: Represent the Local Planning Authority at public meetings, committee meetings, and working groups to assist in the delivery of the Local Plan.
• Advice Provision: Provide advice to Elected Members, other departments, local and statutory bodies, and organisations in connection with the preparation of Local Plans and other issues.
• Development Briefs: Prepare planning and development briefs, including arrangements for public consultation and committee consideration.
• Development Management: Offer advice to Development Management Officers on planning policy matters. Prepare development management guidance notes and serve as an expert witness in development management enquiries.
• Strategic Planning: Act as a contact for strategic planning issues, monitor and respond to strategic consultation documents, and represent the Council's interests in strategic planning matters.
• Information and Technology: Assist in managing and inputting GIS Local Plan data and information into UNIFORM. Ensure continued mapping of policies and constraints.
• Registers: Lead on the preparation and publication of the Brownfield Land Register and Right to Build Register in line with statutory regulations.
• Monitoring: Lead on monitoring work, supervise junior officers, and improve the planning department's land use and local plan monitoring capability. Produce annual monitoring statements and maintain information contacts with relevant bodies.

Requirements:

• Knowledge of legislation and planning policy guidance related to Local Plans.
• Experience working with people in other disciplines.
• Understanding of the role of elected representatives.
• 3-5 years of relevant planning policy experience, including an understanding of relevant legislation and regulations.

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