Rochdale Borough Council - Senior Planning Officer

Rochdale Borough Council - Senior Planning Officer

Location: Number 1 Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale, OL16 1XU

Contract: Initial contract to 28th March 2022 with possible further extension.

Hours: Full Time – Monday to Friday

Payrate: £17.51 an Hour

Description:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Planning Officer to join our Development Management team providing maternity cover for one of our team for up to 12-months.

In addition to experience of having successfully handled major planning applications, we value commercially focused and business minded planners who can support our efforts

to deliver growth and regeneration in the borough and to help us work with developers and investors to deliver high quality, sustainable development. 

Candidates will be expected to have knowledge of working in local government and leading on major planning applications, preparing committee reports

and knowledge of specialist planning software including Idox and GIS. We would also expect the candidate to commit to seeing out the full duration of the contract with the Authority.   

In return we can offer the candidate an opportunity to work in one of the most well-regarded planning teams in the North West,

a supportive team environment and a chance to get involved in some of the most exciting major development projects in the region.

Principal Duties

To assist the Development Manager in the development and maintenance of effective links with other Council services, partner organisations and external stakeholders to secure the regeneration of the Borough,

and in communicating the value added by the Planning Service.

To apply policy broadly, innovatively and creatively taking the lead role in negotiations on major and complex planning applications, master planning,

regeneration projects and other initiatives, including the preparation of legal agreements with applicants and developers, local communities, other Council services, partner organisations and external agencies.

To thoroughly and accurately process a caseload of planning applications, in particular the larger, more complex projects, including:

a)  Ensuring proper validation of planning applications

b)  Undertaking site inspections, maintaining full and accurate records

c)  Undertaking the necessary statutory and any other consultations

d)  Ensuring that the relevant statutory or discretionary publicity is given to particular applications

e)  Undertaking any necessary research work required in connection with a particular application

f)   Negotiating improvements to submitted development proposals

g)  Assessing proposals against local and national policies, including the Development Plan and any other material considerations

h)  The preparation of accurate, thorough and legally robust reports and recommendations for the determination of applications by Committee or under delegated powers

i)  The positive negotiation and formulation of planning obligations

j)  Presentation of reports to Township Planning Sub Committees, Planning and Licensing Committee, other Council Committees, partnerships, working groups and public meetings as appropriate

To advise the public, developers, other professional groups, organisations and individuals and other Council Services, Members of the Council and Members of Parliament on development management issues and procedures offering advice and guidance,

including the initiation of correspondence, on such matters in accordance with Service and Council policies and objectives.

To advise and negotiate with developers and, through liaison with other Services, partners and local communities,

identify and secure planning obligations and/or infrastructure in accordance with Council policies, corporate programmes and objectives.

To display a high level of professional competency, maintaining a thorough and up to date knowledge of legislation and guidance and apply this to ensure legally sound,

quality and enforceable recommendations and decisions in accordance with legislation, the development management framework and Delegation Scheme.

To provide effective, integrated and timely advice to enforcement staff on the need for, and appropriate use of, enforcement powers relating to complaints received by the Service,

checking files and cases to authorise the taking of enforcement action under delegated powers where expedient.

To ensure accuracy and compliance with service quality management procedures, checking reports, recommendations and decision notices for planning applications to be determined

under delegated powers, or by Township Planning Sub Committee and/or the Planning and Licensing Committee.

Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. 4Recruitment Services is an equal opportunities employer.

To discuss this vacancy or other vacancies in your area please contact Nana Kyeremeh on 0208 514 9137 or