Principal Planning Officer

Posted 16 February 2026
Salary £55 per hour
LocationSouth East London
Job type Permanent - Full Time
Job duration3 Months
Discipline Town Planning
ReferenceJO0000064237

Job description

Carrington West are assisting their local authority client in the South East with their search for a Principal Development Management Planner.
 
Main responsibilities of the role will include:
· Managing a caseload of planning applications, including complex and strategic major applications.
· Assessing and determining applications in line with adopted local and national planning policy.
· Preparing clear, well-reasoned officer reports and recommendations.
· Providing professional planning advice to applicants, agents, members, and internal stakeholders.
· Representing the authority at Planning Committee where required.
· Contributing to consultation responses on relevant planning matters, including (where applicable) NSIPs.
 
The ideal candidate will have:
· Significant experience as a Development Management Planner, ideally within a local authority setting (county, district, or unitary).
· A strong background in strategic land-use planning (transport planners/engineers will not be suitable for this role).
· Experience handling a varied caseload of applications, including majors.
· NSIP experience (desirable but not essential).
· Strong verbal and written communication skills.
This is a 3-6 month initial contract, and both part-time and full-time applicants will be considered. The role offers flexible hybrid working, with onsite attendance required once or twice per month as a minimum.
 
Carrington West Pay Rate - £50-55 per hour Dependent on experience
Job Ref - 64438
 
Our client is looking for someone to start as soon as possible, so if you are interested in being considered for the role, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
 
Please call Jake Herrington on 02393 876015 for a confidential discussion on this role, or email Jake or our planning team if you are short of time to chat:

jake.herrington@carringtonwest.com
planning@carringtonwest.com
 
Carrington West's dedicated Town Planning Recruitment Team supply clients UK-wide on both a permanent and contract basis across all levels of seniority. If this role is too senior, too junior, or not in a suitable location, but you are keen to explore opportunities, please feel free to get in touch and we can discuss other, often unadvertised roles with you.