Principal Planning Officer - Special Projects

our ref

your ref

please ask for

direct dial 01473 433402

Dear Applicant

RE: Principal Planning Officer – Special ProjectsPost Ref: 1825

Thank you for your interest in the above post. Please find enclosed in this application pack the following documents:

Application Form and Guidance Notes
Job Description
Person Specification
Structure Chart
Service Overview

Application Form:

The application form plays a key part in our selection process. We use the information you provide to shortlist for interview.

You are urged to ensure that all the information contained in your application is relevant and that you demonstrate how you meet the criteria on the person specification. Please use the person specification for guidance when filling in the application form.

References: If successful at interview, Ipswich Borough Council will seek to obtain two employment references. Wherever possible the name of your first referee must be from current employment/education and the second from either current or former employment/education. If you cannot provide an “employment” reference please contact the HR Team at Ipswich Borough Council for further assistance.

For your information, the salary for this post is: £36,317 to £38,186 pro rata per annum.

The closing date is 12 noon on the 18th October 2016.

If you have any recruitment queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01473 433402. Please leave your name, number and brief details of your question and a member of the recruitment team will call you back.

Yours faithfully

Recruitment Team

Human Resource

Ipswich Borough Council

Job Description: L89

Principal Planning Officer – Special Projects

Main Purpose of Job

To manage and co-ordinate all planning activities associated with the successful delivery of developments of strategic sites within the Borough.

Main Duties

Responsible for the successful delivery of the large scale development projects over an extended time period- notably, the northern fringe urban extension- a 20 year project and currently the largest urban development project in Suffolk

Main point of contact responsible for all stakeholders with an interest in the project.

Project manage strategic development sites in accordance with legislation, policies and guidance. To include master planning, planning briefs, neighbourhood planning, Supplementary Planning Guidance and Development Planning Documents as appropriate. To have due regard to new and evolving legislation.

Evaluate each project site, including research and assessing against planning policies; manage evidence-gathering in support of the project; consult with stakeholders, external bodies, developers, councillors and local communities; work in partnership with other local authorities; make recommendations to Town Planning Operations Manager and Development Management and Planning Policy Team Leaders regarding development planning.

Process planning applications/appeals in connection with the northern fringe development.

Prepare written reports and illustrative material for the Executive, Planning and Development Committee, Conservation and Design Advisory Panel, Working Groups and other Committees, and attend/present as necessary.

Advise Managers, Head of Service, Portfolio Holder and Councillors on matters relating to projects and area of expertise. Provide technical input to and give specialist advice to internal and external meetings. Represent the Council and Operational Area at Steering Groups, Advisory Panels and other internal and external meetings as required.

Prepare statements of case in conjunction with Team Leaders and Town Planning Operations Manager and participate in public consultation process, public enquiry or public examination.

Maintain specialist knowledge through CPD; deputise for the Planning Policy Team Leader or Town Planning Manager in area of expertise as necessary; give guidance to Development Management service as required.

Such variations as may be required from time to time without changing the general character of the duties shown above or the level of responsibility entailed.

Person Specification

Principal Planning Officer- Special Projects

ATTRIBUTES

ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

Qualifications

/ Degree standard of education in Planning or relevant field, 5 years qualitative experience
Member of RTPI or other relevant Professional body or institute. / Evidence of continuing professional development / Application/Certificates
Relevant experience / Demonstrate successful experience of initiating, managing and delivering projects on time and within budget.
Ability to problem-solve and initiate and promote new initiatives and projects to address locally identified problems.
Experience of working in partnership with a variety of stakeholders including local communities.
Experience in consultation processes, participating and organising public consultations and dealing with councillors, stakeholders and members of the public.
Experience of using Microsoft WORD and EXCEL at advanced level.
Demonstrate knowledge of Planning Development Management and Planning Policy.
Experience in financial management. / Experience of Microsoft Project.
Previous experience of working in Local Government.
Management or supervision of a team of officers. / Application/Interview
Test/Presentation
Specialist knowledge / Effective performance management skills.
Knowledge of appropriate planning regulation, legislation and practice.
Knowledge of Local Authority functions.
Knowledge of appraisal of development plans, Special Planning documents and Master Planning. / Knowledge of Localism Agenda and effects on local Government planning services
Knowledge of Sustainability and climate change as it effects project delivery / Application/Interview Test/Presentation
Personal skills / Ability to work collaboratively building trust, mediating, conciliating, negotiating and delegating.
Demonstrate a customer focused and responsive approach that improves service delivery.
Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team towards agreed objectives.

Ability to provide creative solutions to complex problems.

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with people at all levels, both internal and external to the organisation.
Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with a variety of internal and external groups.
Ability to manage continually conflicting priorities; meet demanding deadlines and work under pressure. / Ability to organise and prioritise workloads and achieve objectives.
Knowledge of equalities and diversity and how this can apply to delivering an effective and quality service.
Ability to identify and manage risks within the remit of the job. / Application/Interview Test/Presentation
Special working conditions / Will be required to occasionally work outside of normal working hours and to attend evening meetings. / Application/Interview

Ipswich Borough Council

Planning and Development

The Planning and Development team deals with the council's regulatory and non-statutory functions as Local Planning Authority. It includes the combined services stated below:

Development Management

Development Management provides key services to the development sector. In overall terms it is a front-line service, playing a key role in shaping the future of Ipswich as a place to live and work in, and also in contributing to the Council’s public image.

The service aims to secure the best quality development possible for the people of Ipswich; to operate an efficient, thorough, responsive and open Development Management and enforcement system focused on the needs of all of our customers. The team playsa part in promoting a wider understanding among the public and other bodies of the work and commitment of the Operational Area and the Council as a whole, within the constraints which exist.

Building Control

Building control is concerned with the health and safety of people in and around buildings. Our team makes sure buildings are constructed in a safe and stable manner, comply with energy conservation requirements and have suitable access and facilities for building users. Building Regulations are made by the Government with the aim of securing reasonable standards of health and safety for people in and about buildings. In addition they cover other issues affecting buildings such as access, thermal performance and appropriate sound insulation between buildings. Ipswich Borough Council Building Control is dedicated to providing an impartial and local service to the people of Ipswich to help them to comply with the Building Regulations. We aim to assist with the production of high quality buildings within a timescale, whilst keeping your costs to a minimum by providing a fast, efficient and cost-effective Building Control Service. Our surveyors have wide technical expertise, extensive knowledge of materials and construction methods as well as access to valuable local records. We have a reputation for fairness, a positive, practical approach and good working relations with local architects, surveyors, builders, developers and the fire service.

Conservation and Urban Design

The Conservation & Urban Design Service is the central focal point within the Borough Council for specialist technical and professional advice on historic buildings and areas and for urban design. The service operates to advise the Council, owners, occupiers and the general public about protection of the historic environment and about shaping places to maintain and reinforce the unique urban character of Ipswich. The team works with national bodies such as English Heritage but also with local groups such as Ipswich Historic Churches Trust, Ipswich Building Preservation Trust and the Ipswich Design & Conservation Advisory Panel.

Planning Policy

The Core Strategy and Policies development plan document was adopted in December 2011 and work is currently being undertaken on the emerging Core Strategy with a view to an Examination in Public in early 2016.

The primary responsibility of the Planning Policy team is the preparation, monitoring and review of land use planning documents forming the Ipswich Local Plan. It fulfils statutory responsibilities in relation to land use planning.

Planning Policy’s other responsibilities include:

•Producing an infrastructure delivery plan and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL);

•Advising on planning policy issues and implementation; and

•Representing the Council on a range of partnerships.

Business Support Team

The Planning and Development Business Support Team provides administrative and technical support for the service covering Building Control, Development Management, Conservation & Urban Design and Planning Policy. The Team Leader provides administrative and HR support and advice across Planning and Development.

Updated October 2013