Our client is a Local Authority in Hertfordshire who are looking for a Principal Strategic Planning Officer to take on a role focused on the review, project management and update of the District’s Local Plan.

You will be report to the Strategic Planning Manager and will be assigned specific tasks in relation to the preparation of chapters and sections of the Plan and / or focussed reviews on specified areas of policy. The role will require attendance at Public Inquiries where you will act as technical expert witness to defend Council decisions and provide detailed responses.

As a Principal Officer, your main workstream will be to oversee and project managing the site allocations work – with support from junior officers using a software package called Placemaker. You will be working on the Local Plan: site allocations, policy drafting, preparing inhouse evidence base documents and managing consultants.

We are looking for a versatile, experienced Planning Policy Officer who can demonstrate a range of Local Authority experience delivering Local Plan updates. You will need to have a track record of positively influencing planning outcomes through liaison and negotiation of complex matters.

Ideally we would like to see RTPI membership for a role at this grade.

The contract will run for 6 months with a strong likelihood of extension.

Office requirements are 2 days per week, Monday and Wednesday.

The rate will be at least £55/hr (umbrella).