Principal Planner

CRA GROUP RECRUITMENT AND PAYROLL LTD

Job Location:

London - UK

Monthly Salary: £ 42 - 42

Experience Required: 4-5years

Posted on: 14 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

5-6 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Summary:

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is seeking an experienced Principal Planner to join its Planning and Building Control Service within the Housing and Regeneration Directorate on a temporary agency basis.

The postholder will support Area Team Leaders in managing workloads supervising staff and delivering high-quality development management services.

This role involves leading on complex high-profile and strategically important planning applications pre-applications and appeals ensuring statutory compliance and supporting the regeneration of the boroughs diverse communities.

Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):

Support the Team Leader in managing area team workloads and supervising planning staff.

Act as lead case officer for complex major politically sensitive and strategic planning applications and pre-applications.

Provide high-quality professional planning assessments and recommendations in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Acts and related legislation.

Lead and manage complex planning appeals public inquiries and examinations acting as the Councils expert witness where required.

Undertake advanced project management of planning applications appeals and regeneration-related projects.

Negotiate planning obligations including affordable housing and infrastructure contributions (e.g. CIL and S106).

Prepare present and defend planning reports and recommendations to Development Committees and senior officers.

Manage and deliver public consultation exercises in line with the Statement of Community Involvement.

Maintain accurate up-to-date planning records using Council ICT and case management systems.

Represent the Council at external meetings with government bodies developers consultants and community stakeholders.

Mentor supervise and support Planning Officers and Graduate Planners.

Contribute to corporate priorities including equality sustainability and effective partnership working.

Skills/Experience:

Significant post-qualification experience in development management within a local planning authority.

Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation policy and guidance including the Town and Country Planning Acts.

Proven experience managing complex major and high-profile planning applications and appeals.

Experience acting as lead case officer and representing a local authority at public inquiries or hearings.

Excellent report writing analytical and decision-making skills.

Strong negotiation skills particularly relating to planning obligations and affordable housing.

Experience supervising mentoring or coaching planning staff.

Ability to work independently using professional judgement with minimal supervision.

Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Competent user of planning and information management systems.

Additional Information:

The closing date: 19/12/2025 @17:00.

Working hours: 35 hours per week (9:00am 5:00pm).

Location: London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Required Skills:

Significant post-qualification experience in development management within a local planning authority. Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation policy and guidance including the Town and Country Planning Acts. Proven experience managing complex major and high-profile planning applications and appeals. Experience acting as lead case officer and representing a local authority at public inquiries or hearings. Excellent report writing analytical and decision-making skills. Strong negotiation skills particularly relating to planning obligations and affordable housing. Experience supervising mentoring or coaching planning staff. Ability to work independently using professional judgement with minimal supervision. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. Competent user of planning and information management systems.

5-6 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is seeking an experienced Principal Planner to join its Planning and Building Control Service within the Housing and Regeneration Directorate on a temporary agency basis. The postholder will support Area Team...