Principal Planning Officer

Location: Halifax HX1

Salary: £40–£50 PAYE per hour (negotiable depending on experience)

Job Type: Temporary, Full-time, Hybrid

We are seeking a Principal Planning Officer to lead on complex and major development management casework, including planning applications, appeals, and enforcement matters. This role involves supporting the Area Team Leader in managing workloads, assisting with the supervision and mentoring of Planning Officers, and signing off casework in line with delegated authority.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Act as the case officer for complex and major planning applications, negotiating with applicants and agents to ensure high-quality development outcomes aligned with the adopted Local Plan.
• Lead on the negotiation of Section 106 agreements with applicants to ensure the timely delivery of required infrastructure and mitigation.
• Provide pre-application advice for larger and more complex developments, including the negotiation of Planning Performance Agreements.
• Contribute to the delivery of planning enforcement activities, including overseeing the drafting and service of enforcement-related notices.
• Present professional planning advice at Planning Committee meetings, supporting Members to make sound and defensible decisions; ensure written Committee reports are of a consistently high standard.
• Represent the organisation’s case at Hearings, Public Inquiries, and in the Courts where required, including acting as lead officer, coordinating evidence, and instructing counsel and consultants.
• Mentor and advise colleagues, supporting professional development and high performance.
• Deputise for and assist the Team Leader and other managers with the efficient and effective running of the planning service, ensuring decisions on planning applications are made in a timely and robust manner.
• Assist with the development of planning policy and guidance, and support the implementation of ongoing service improvements.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• A degree recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Eligibility for full Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
• Full UK driving licence.
• Strong knowledge of planning law, policy, and professional practice.
• Previous experience in a similar senior planning role.

Benefits:

• Access to a dedicated consultant for ongoing support.
• Secure, user-friendly online system for timesheet management.
• Self-service portal for holiday requests, payslips, and employment documents.
• Access to free training, discount clubs, healthcare options, and reward schemes.
• Inclusion in pension schemes, paid holiday arrangements, and maternity benefits.
• Opportunities to work with a range of leading UK employers across the public and private sectors.