Assistant Planning Officer, Development Management

Do you have an interest in helping new development come forward in a sustainable way? Do you want to build a career in a busy and proactive planning team? Then this role is for you.

Who?

Wealden District Council is committed to delivering sustainable development and providing our communities with a 5 star planning service.

This is an opportunity for someone who has some planning experience and wants to further their career or for someone who is adept at dealing with householder, minor and other applications types but wants to do that in a district with a varied history and landscape.

You will be part of a team that helps to process around 3000 applications, applying planning law and policy and delivering positive outcomes for our communities and businesses.

What will you be doing?

Preparing planning reports on development proposals.

Providing advice and conducting negotiations with applicants to achieve the best possible outcomes and deliver 5-star customer service.

Liaising with various stakeholders, including residents, officers from other service sections, elected members, and external bodies to ensure material consideration are taken into account and that decision making is open and transparent.

Engaging in pre-application discussions, taking opportunities to front load planning considerations and make the formal planning application process run smoothly.

Experience in planning and the application of expert knowledge within a planning policy or development management context.

Customer service skills, being particularly adept at speaking with those who have conflicting demands and priorities.

Knowledge of relevant law, policy and guidance related to planning and related matters.

Communication and negotiation skills being able to discuss proposals in a positive, constructive, and professional manner to deliver positive planning outcomes.

A planning or relevant degree qualification or, as an alternative, considerable experience in planning matters., Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.

Excellent salary, pension, flexible working, fantastic employee benefits and comprehensive staff health & wellbeing scheme.

A friendly, supportive team and a range of opportunities for continuing professional development.