Senior/Principal Planning Officer
| Posting date: | 20 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £34.34 per hour |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 22 March 2026 |
| Location: | Surrey, South East England |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Nations Recruitment |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Job Category : Planning
Location : High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD,
Elmbridge Borough Council
Hours Per Week : 36.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Salary: £34.34
3 days remote, 2 days in the office
About the role
You will be passionate about design, dealing with complex applications, using your skills to help shape Elmbridge. You will be supporting our customers and helping them to understand the role good planning makes in shaping an area.
Elmbridge is one of the busiest local planning authorities in the country and sets very high standards for the delivery of planning decisions within Government targets. With land values that rival London and a population of 135,000, we will provide you with an interesting and challenging step in your career.
The main purpose of the role:
To assist in the management of an area team within Development Management and to carry out all aspects of a Senior Development Management Planning Officer’s work, including evaluation of and reporting on planning applications, enforcement matters and planning appeals.
Specific duties and responsibilities
To advise interested parties, applicants, developers, architects etc. in relation to tentative or proposed developments and on all aspects of Development Management, including the Council’s own development.
To assist in the examination of applications submitted prior to registration to ensure their validity and that appropriate publicity and consultations have been identified.
To process applications, including major or controversial proposals, check technical aspects, advise applicants and make recommendations to Sub-Committee or for delegated decisions.
To process appeals and prepare and present the Council’s case particularly at hearings and inquiries.
To assist in the investigation of allegations of unauthorised activities as required.
To attend Sub-Committee meetings as necessary to assist in the reporting and consideration of applications, and to advise the Committee and present reports on planning applications and other planning matters.
To assist the Team Leader in supervising the Planning Officers within an area team, including advising on reports and pre-application responses, managing performance, monitoring workloads and reviewing complaints.
To deliver excellent customer care.
To carry out other tasks as required commensurate with the level of this post.
Qualifications and education
1.
A degree in Town & Country Planning or equivalent qualification and eligibility for Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Experience
2.Significant experience in Development Management, with good experience of major applications
3.
Experience in representing the Council at Informal Hearings or Inquiries.
4.
Previous experience of staff supervision.
5.
Track record of good organisational skills.
6.
Full understanding and experience of general Local Government procedures.
7.
Previous use and exploitation of new information technology systems.
Essential
Knowledge, skills and abilities
8.Ability to assist in the management and motivation of a professional team.
9.
Able to display good communication skills, both orally and in writing.
10.
Ability to work with minimum supervision.
11.
Ability to prioritise and programme workload to meet deadlines.
12.
Full knowledge of relevant legislation and Government guidance.
13.
Commitment to delivering excellent customer care
Special requirements
14.
Full driving licence and provision of own vehicle
15.Attendance at formal evening Committee meetings of the Borough Council as required
16.
Ability to cope with significant work pressure
Location : High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD,
Elmbridge Borough Council
Hours Per Week : 36.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Salary: £34.34
3 days remote, 2 days in the office
About the role
You will be passionate about design, dealing with complex applications, using your skills to help shape Elmbridge. You will be supporting our customers and helping them to understand the role good planning makes in shaping an area.
Elmbridge is one of the busiest local planning authorities in the country and sets very high standards for the delivery of planning decisions within Government targets. With land values that rival London and a population of 135,000, we will provide you with an interesting and challenging step in your career.
The main purpose of the role:
To assist in the management of an area team within Development Management and to carry out all aspects of a Senior Development Management Planning Officer’s work, including evaluation of and reporting on planning applications, enforcement matters and planning appeals.
Specific duties and responsibilities
To advise interested parties, applicants, developers, architects etc. in relation to tentative or proposed developments and on all aspects of Development Management, including the Council’s own development.
To assist in the examination of applications submitted prior to registration to ensure their validity and that appropriate publicity and consultations have been identified.
To process applications, including major or controversial proposals, check technical aspects, advise applicants and make recommendations to Sub-Committee or for delegated decisions.
To process appeals and prepare and present the Council’s case particularly at hearings and inquiries.
To assist in the investigation of allegations of unauthorised activities as required.
To attend Sub-Committee meetings as necessary to assist in the reporting and consideration of applications, and to advise the Committee and present reports on planning applications and other planning matters.
To assist the Team Leader in supervising the Planning Officers within an area team, including advising on reports and pre-application responses, managing performance, monitoring workloads and reviewing complaints.
To deliver excellent customer care.
To carry out other tasks as required commensurate with the level of this post.
Qualifications and education
1.
A degree in Town & Country Planning or equivalent qualification and eligibility for Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Experience
2.Significant experience in Development Management, with good experience of major applications
3.
Experience in representing the Council at Informal Hearings or Inquiries.
4.
Previous experience of staff supervision.
5.
Track record of good organisational skills.
6.
Full understanding and experience of general Local Government procedures.
7.
Previous use and exploitation of new information technology systems.
Essential
Knowledge, skills and abilities
8.Ability to assist in the management and motivation of a professional team.
9.
Able to display good communication skills, both orally and in writing.
10.
Ability to work with minimum supervision.
11.
Ability to prioritise and programme workload to meet deadlines.
12.
Full knowledge of relevant legislation and Government guidance.
13.
Commitment to delivering excellent customer care
Special requirements
14.
Full driving licence and provision of own vehicle
15.Attendance at formal evening Committee meetings of the Borough Council as required
16.
Ability to cope with significant work pressure