Principal Planning Officer – Major Housing Schemes

Location: North West
Contract: 6–12 month initial contract
Rate: £50–£55 per hour
Office Presence: Weekly/fortnightly
Sector: Local Authority / Planning
Development Scale: Major residential schemes of up to 400 units

We are currently seeking an experienced Principal Planning Officer to join a North West planning team on an initial 6–12 month contract, supporting the delivery of major residential development schemes across the region.

This is an excellent opportunity for a planning professional with strong major applications and residential development experience, particularly someone comfortable managing complex schemes of up to 400 residential units from submission through to determination.

The Role

As Principal Planning Officer, you will take responsibility for a varied caseload of significant planning applications, providing professional planning advice and managing applications through the development management process.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing major planning applications, including residential schemes of up to 400 units.

• Assessing complex planning proposals and preparing high-quality reports and recommendations.

• Coordinating consultation responses and working with internal and external stakeholders.

• Providing clear planning advice to applicants, agents, developers and other stakeholders.

• Negotiating with applicants and agents to secure appropriate amendments and planning outcomes.

• Preparing committee reports and presenting applications where required.

• Working collaboratively with planning, legal, highways, housing and other council teams.

• Managing applications effectively against statutory and local authority timescales.

• Supporting the wider Development Management team on complex planning matters.

About You

You will ideally have:

• Substantial experience working within a Development Management / Planning environment.

• Proven experience handling major residential planning applications.

• Experience managing schemes involving significant housing numbers, ideally up to 400 units.

• Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation, policy and development management procedures.

• Excellent report-writing, negotiation and communication skills.

• The ability to manage a demanding caseload with minimal supervision.

• Experience working within a local authority planning environment is highly desirable.

• Relevant planning qualifications or substantial equivalent professional experience.

Contract & Rate

• Initial 6–12 month contract, with potential for extension.

• £50–£55 per hour, depending on experience.

• This equates to approximately £4,800–£5,300 take-home per month after tax and deductions, depending on individual circumstances.

• Weekly or fortnightly office attendance required in the North West, with flexibility for remote working outside of office attendance.

Apply Now

If you're an experienced Principal Planning Officer with a strong background in major residential development and are available for a new contract opportunity in the North West, we'd be keen to hear from you.

Apply now with your CV for immediate consideration.