Principal Planning Officer

Location:

Castle Point Council Offices, Kiln Road

Salary:

£48,226 - £52,413 per annum (SCP 37-41)

Working Hours:

37 hours per week

Contract Type:

Permanent

Contract Duration:

Permanent

Number of Positions:

One

DBS Check:

No

Location – Castle Point Borough Council Offices

Principal Planner

Full Time – 37 Hours

Grade – 9 – SCP 37-41 - £48,226 - £52,413

Closing date: 12th April 2026

Are you ready to make a real impact in shaping the future of our communities with a passion for placemaking and sustainable development?

Castle Point Borough Council is seeking a Principal Planner to join our proactive and forward-thinking Planning Team. This is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on the borough’s landscape, guiding high-quality and sustainable developments.

You should be able to hit the ground running and be capable of working with minimum supervision, efficiently managing your workload and making a real contribution towards quality decision making.

We are entering an exciting period and need a committed and enthusiastic individual, who enjoys a challenge, to assist the Council in maintaining its reputation for high quality service and decision making.

In this exciting and varied role, you’ll be at the forefront of planning and development, guiding and shaping developments. You will:

• Lead planning applications and their assessment, provide pre-application advice, and lead on appeals.
• Provide mentoring and supervising of other team members.
• Champion design excellence and compliance with national and local policies.
• Build strong relationships with developers, councillors, and other stakeholders
• Contribute to strategic planning initiatives.
• Represent the Council at public hearings, appeal inquiries, and professional forums, including Development Management Committee.

Key Skills and abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills for persuasion, influence, and relationship-building and the ability to work independently, including the ability to independently manage casework.
• Ability to interpret complex data and provide strategic solutions.
• Ability to mentor and share knowledge with team members.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including report writing and presentations.
• Self-motivated with strong initiative and workload management.
• Decisive problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in IT systems, including Idox Uniform and Microsoft 365.
• Advanced knowledge of planning legislation and development management practices.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and negotiation (e.g., S106, PPAs).
• Ability to manage projects and contribute to strategic planning.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and customer-focused service.
• Full UK driving licence, access to a vehicle and flexibility for site visits and evening meetings.

Experience

• Significant experience working within a local planning authority.
• Proven track record of handling a varied caseload of planning applications, including processing major planning casework, providing planning advice and dealing with members of the public and organisations.
• Experience of engaging with and maintaining relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience of mentoring and supervising other team members.
• Experience of working under pressure and adhere to tight timescales and standards.
• Experience of dealing with planning appeals and participation at Public Inquiries and Hearings

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a degree level relevant qualification (e.g. planning, geography, politics, etc).

Membership or eligibility for membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is desirable.

Applicants must hold a full valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle (for site visits).

Not only is this a great role for the right candidate but you also get some great benefits including:

• 27 days annual leave
• Flexi-time
• FREE gym membership
• Pension
• Payment of one relevant professional subscription
• Funded work-related training and development courses

For an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact recruiting manager – Louise Cook, Planning Manager by email (LCook@castlepoint.gov.uk).

The Council is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, and we expect all our employees to share this commitment.

Our values: Trust, Respect, Improving and Learning, and Customer Focus

Castle Point Borough Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer.