Norwich City Council has a successful and busy planning team who work to enhance the beautiful city of Norwich. Two opportunities have arisen to join the development management team in career grade planner posts. We currently have one permanent contract and one temporary contract up to May 2027. Candidates should indicate in their application which opportunity they are interested in.
As part of the permanent post, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to study for a postgraduate degree and progress through the Grades on their route to chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). For both posts, the career grade scale position will depend on your skills and experience.
Responsibilities
- Take responsibility for the management of a caseload of development proposals, providing a high‑quality service to applicants and meeting performance and quality targets.
- Provide planning advice to, and negotiate with, applicants or agents and other bodies on planning applications, in pre‑application discussions, and respond to general planning enquiries.
- Prepare reports and make recommendations on planning and related applications, including instructing, checking and monitoring compliance with related legal agreements.
- Ensure compliance with planning and related permissions and take action to enforce planning control. Investigate allegations of breach of planning control and make recommendations on appropriate enforcement action, liaising with specialist enforcement and legal staff where necessary.
- Assist with the preparation of development plan documents, supplementary planning documents and other policy and projects as required, and contribute to collaborative working across Council services, other authorities and agencies on planning issues, including the Greater Norwich Growth Board and the Greater Norwich Local Plan.
- Assist in the preparation, monitoring, review and update of all aspects of the statutory Development Plan, including data collection, survey and analysis, maintaining monitoring systems, carrying out public consultation and community participation.
- Prepare evidence and act as the Council’s expert witness in connection with planning appeals and policy development, whether dealt with by written representations or at hearings, and present reports to the Planning Applications Committee, Sustainable Development Panel and other meetings as required.
Skills and Competencies
- Display a general level of ability in letter and report writing; exhibit a clear and comprehensible writing style in line with Plain English principles.
- Experience of working in an office environment, including the appropriate use of information technology.
- Good organisational and analytical skills.
- Time and priority management: developing ability and understanding of techniques.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure.
- Methodical and attention to detail.
- Logical thinking and ability to analyse and weigh issues.
- Appreciation of team working.
- Polite, helpful and building confidence.
- Verbal communication: effective in most situations.
- Presentation skills: willingness to develop skills.
- Customer care awareness.
- Capable of dealing with straightforward planning matters with minimal supervision and more complex matters with a degree of supervision.
- Capable of dealing with proposals for prior approval and the discharge of conditions.
- Capable of dealing with queries from the public about the need for planning permission and the process for obtaining it.
- Able to read and scale drawings and possess a basic appreciation of urban design skills.
Educational Requirements
First degree or equivalent that would allow entry onto an RTPI accredited postgraduate degree.
Benefits
- All employees are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Paid holiday entitlement starts at 26 days per annum and increases with length of service to a maximum of 33 days per annum; this is pro rata for part‑time employees.
- In addition to the statutory public holidays, an additional statutory day leave is granted at Christmas.
- Occupational health and employee assistance support are provided.
Equal Opportunities Policy
The council is committed to a policy of equality and opportunity in employment, in recruitment and the services it provides. Applications are considered on the basis of suitability for the post regardless of sex, gender reassignment, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status, domestic responsibilities, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. People with disabilities are guaranteed an interview provided they are suitably qualified and/or experienced.
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