Req24119 - Principal Planner - Leeds, United Kingdom - Leeds City Council

Leeds City Council

Verified Company

Leeds, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Temporary until 31/12/2026

As a Principal Planner you'll thrive on working with colleagues across the Council and beyond to make a real difference to people's lives.

The Council House New Build Programme, and the support given to drive forward Registered Provider's affordable housing delivery, are key planks to achieving the Council's ambitions for inclusive growth of the city.

It's not about blocking development or stifling innovation.

The post is a chance to shape exciting and significant affordable housing proposals in Leeds, and to achieve high quality, sustainable development in a diverse area.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you
As a Principal Planner you will bring to the role:

An understanding of how planning can contribute to the delivery of high-quality sustainable development and the achievement of sustainable communities.
Ability to influence outcomes and negotiate solutions.
In depth experience of working within a planning environment and specifically dealing with major, complex and / or sensitive schemes.
Ability to manage own workload effectively and demonstrate quality decision making in a timely manner.
Experience of working effectively with others to deliver high quality outcomes.

About the role

This key Development Management post will specifically support and advise colleagues to promote and accelerate affordable housing delivery in our vibrant and growing city.

You will integrate effectively with procurement / project management colleagues to support the council's own new build programme and provide crucial planning advice into the Regeneration service's support of Registered Provider schemes.

You will also be able to collaborate with other teams across the City Development Directorate, to providing expert planning advice on affordable housing schemes.

As our next Principal Planner for Housing Growth, you will be instrumental in ensuring major housing schemes are brought forward at pace through the planning system and in line with the Council's planning policies.

There is plenty of scope to use your own judgement and initiative, but support and guidance will always be available from your colleagues within Development Management.

What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays

- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

How to apply

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023 of their Top 100 UK employers. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job purpose

To deal with a full range of planning proposals including major and complex schemes, mentor more junior staff and act as appoint of contact for a specific area aligned to an Area Committee to a high standard to meet performance targets within a culture of proactive development management.

Responsibilities

To give appropriate and timely responses to customer enquiries on planning matters.
To keep Elected Members, MPs and customers appropriately informed on planning matters and deliver a high level of customer care.
To undertake work in connection with planning appeals including being the Council's expert witness at major public inquiries.
To attend and present items at Plans Panel, make recommendations and give planning advice to Elected Members.
To represent the Council and/or Planning Services at public meetings, Plans Panel and in other public and/or political forums.
If required to manage and play a key role in the development of staff within the workplace, including thorough undertaking of staff appraisals, training and mentoring.
If required, to manage and lead on specific projects and service improvements
To make good quality planning decisions for the Council in accordance with the scheme of delegations and to ensure that officer reports are comprehensive, deal with all relevant considerations and are fit for purpose.
If required, to be a principal point of contact for an Area Committee, MP(s) and