Principal Planning Officer

We are looking for Principal Planning Officers who have a passion for planning and want to apply their skills and abilities in the busy environment of Waltham Forest.  We welcome applications from experienced planners working within the Development Management service, seeking to continue to develop their career.

Working in Waltham Forest

There has never been a more exciting time to work for Waltham Forest Council where we are delivering impactful change with and for our diverse communities across the borough.

Waltham Forest Council is at the forefront of development regeneration in London, with an ambitious programme of investment in the borough’s places, people and infrastructure. Our programme is based around economic growth and investment in our 15-minute neighbourhoods, working with and securing benefit for local communities while responding to the economic recovery challenges of the pandemic and the impact of the Climate Emergency.

You will have the drive and energy to help deliver this ambitious agenda within the Area Teams, supporting the Area Team Managers and Deputy Managers to deliver the planned growth identified in the draft Local Plan ensuring all developments deliver benefits to local communities and protect the characteristics of the borough that make it an attractive place to live and work.

The Role

You will be responsible for managing a varied caseload of medium to large and complex planning applications, pre-applications requests and appeals. You will also support the Planning Manager and Deputy Planning Manager with mentoring and supervising staff as well as signing off cases.

You will have an appreciation and critical understanding of planning legislation and national and regional policy; confident in tackling new challenges and flexible in your approach to your work to allow you to adapt and meet the needs of the service.

You will be a strong team player who can contribute positively to the team and be able to demonstrate initiative and good judgement in making recommendations on a wide range of planning matters. 

You will be capable working within a matrix working environment, developing good working relationships with a range of stakeholders, including the need to respond sensitively to the needs of the community and to deliver a service around the needs of our customers.