Principal Planning Officer

London | Hybrid Working | -279 per day Umbrella | 5-Month Contract

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Principal Planning Officer to join a highly regarded London local authority on an initial 5-month contract.

Working within a busy Development Management team, you will play a leading role in shaping sustainable growth across a complex urban environment, managing major planning applications, coordinating appeals, and providing professional leadership to junior planning staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on complex and major planning applications, pre-application enquiries, and development proposals.
  
  
• Negotiate and secure planning obligations, including Section 106 Agreements.
  
  
• Coordinate the planning appeals process and represent the authority at Public Inquiries, Hearings, and Informal Hearings.
  
  
• Prepare and present reports to Planning Committee and senior stakeholders.
  
  
• Provide mentoring, technical guidance, and support to junior planning officers.
  
  
• Build effective relationships with developers, elected members, residents, and external stakeholders.
  
  
• Support service improvements and contribute to achieving planning performance targets.
  
  

About You

• Postgraduate qualification in Town Planning.
  
  
• RTPI-Membership (or eligibility for membership) is essential.
  
  
• Significant Development Management experience, ideally within a local authority setting.
  
  
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and planning appeal procedures.
  
  
• Experience handling complex applications within a metropolitan or inner-city environment.
  
  
• Excellent report writing, negotiation, stakeholder management, and presentation skills.
  
  
• Ability to work independently whilst supporting wider team objectives.
  
  

Contract Details

• -279 per day Umbrella
  
  
• 5-Month Initial Contract
  
  
• Hybrid Working
  
  
• London-Based Local Authority
  
  

This role would suit an experienced Senior or Principal Planning Officer looking to make an immediate impact within a dynamic and ambitious planning service.

Principal Planning Officer | Senior Planning Officer | Development Management | RTPI | Town Planning | Planning Applications | Major Applications | Planning Appeals | Section 106 | S106 Agreements | Planning Committee | Public Inquiry | Urban Regeneration | Housing Delivery | Mixed-Use Development | Local Authority Planning | Stakeholder Engagement | Development Management Officer | Planning Law | Planning Policy | Strategic Planning | Place Shaping
If you''re an experienced planning professional looking for your next contract opportunity within a London local authority environment, we''d love to hear from you.
Apply today with your updated CV for immediate consideration.