Development Management Team Leader

Development Management Team Leader (Planning)

About the Role

Pay rate: £300 per day

Location: Civic Offices, DN1 3BU

Hours: 9am to 5pm, 7.5 hours per day.

We are seeking an experienced Planning Team Leader to manage a sub-team of Planning Officers within our Development Management service.

You will support senior management in delivering planning objectives by leading on major and strategic applications, providing expert planning advice, and ensuring high-quality, consistent and legally robust decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Development Management Officers.
• Determine major and strategic planning applications under delegated authority.
• Provide pre-application advice on significant developments.
• Oversee planning enforcement decisions with senior colleagues.
• Ensure high-quality Planning Committee reports and support committee processes.
• Manage planning appeals, including Written Representations, Hearings and Public Inquiries.
• Monitor team performance and drive service improvements.
• Handle complaints and support Ombudsman investigations.
• Respond to planning policy consultations and represent the Council’s interests.
• Undertake site visits, including strategic development opportunities.

About You

You will have:

• A degree in Planning (or equivalent) and RTPI membership (or working towards).
• Significant local authority planning experience, including major applications or policy work.
• Proven supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation and development management processes.
• Experience with appeals and/or public inquiries.
• A track record of improving service performance.

What We’re Looking For

A confident and proactive planning professional who can lead a team, manage a complex caseload, and help drive continuous improvement in a busy Development Management service.

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