Principal Planning Officer (Major Projects)

Principal Planning Officer (Major Projects)

Post No: 43569

Salary: Starting from £51,106 to £54,453 p.a.

Grade: Grade 9 

Hours: 37 hours per week

Place of work: Town Hall, Worthing/Hybrid

Closing date: 25th June 2025

Interviews: TBC

As our Major Projects Principal Planning Officer, you will provide appropriate advice on all major Development Management matters including the provision of appropriate pre-application advice and the effective and efficient processing of applications for planning permission and all other related consents in respect of major applications as well those considered complex, controversial and/or raising new aspects of planning policy.

We are looking for an individual with a planning or similar degree and significant Development Management experience along with outstanding communication and customer service skills, knowledge and understanding of planning legislation, case law and policy with experience of presenting to Planning Committees.

While Adur & Worthing Councils largely operate joint services, for planning purposes Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council remain 2 separate planning authorities with their own Local Plans and separate Planning Committee. Working for the Councils therefore provides the unique experience of dealing with 2 individual areas with some differing planning priorities but both striving to provide high quality development while maintaining an attractive environment for our residents. The work is therefore varied and rewarding and the small size of our team offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of important planning decisions.

If this sounds like the role for you, we look forward to receiving your application!

At Adur & Worthing, we are committed to supporting care leavers, in accordance with the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and the Children and Social Work Act 2017. To that end, we operate a guaranteed interview scheme for anyone meeting the essential criteria of the role they are applying for. In order to be considered for this, you will need to be a care leaver under the age of 25 at the time of application. Please confirm that you are a care leaver in the "Showing how you meet the person specification and job description" section of the application form. 

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of applicants declaring a disability, that meet the essential criteria for this position, will be offered an interview. 

Staff are our most important asset and we therefore have a benefit package which reflects our continuing commitment to our employees.  This includes:

• Generous leave entitlement; a minimum of 26 days + Bank Holiday entitlement
• Local Government Pension
• Training & development
• Occupational Health
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Employee resource groups/networks 
• Buddy Support Programme  
• Flexible working options

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. Staff work in a supportive and safe environment, recognising their responsibility to value and respect each other’s contributions. Standards of conduct must be of the highest level to ensure that no-one is harassed, bullied or victimised. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, staff engagement forums and are keen to hear from applicants from a variety of different backgrounds.