Principal Planner

Posted Mon 13 July 2026, 10:02 AM

Ref: OR/083620

Job Title

Principal Planner

Discipline

Town Planning / Regen / Surveying

Specialism

Available on Application

Contract Type

Contract

Salary

£50/hr

Location

London (N)

Our client is looking for a Principal DM Planning Officer to take a lead role in the team.

Based in North London, they are confident that they can offer an excellent work environment, that is both professionally-rewarding whilst also providing an enjoyable place to work.

This role will see you having direct line management responsibility for a number of Planning officers; you will also manage your own caseload of major and strategic planning applications.

A key requirement of your role will be leading liaison and negotiation with major developers, architects and external consultants through paid pre-application meetings. You will negotiate complex S106 agreements in conjunction with discharging conditions and finalising reserved matters. With the support of your team you will draft detailed delegated reports and present at committee.

You will also make decisions for the Council under the Assistant Director’s delegated powers in respect of determining planning applications for up to 10 residential units and 1000sq.m of commercial development, householder planning applications, applications for Certificates of Lawful Development, vehicular accesses, shop fronts, shop advertisements and applications for works to trees, or such other applications as may be required by the Assistant Director.

We are looking for an established Principal Planner with experience of working for a Local Authority in the UK. You will need an excellent knowledge of UK planning regs and you will need majors experience alongside good leadership skills.

The initial contract will be 3 months with potential to extend given the workload. The rate will be £50.70/hr Umbrella, this role is inside IR35.

Our client offers hybrid working which can be clarified at interview stage.

Closing date for applications is the 14th Jul 2026.

Based in North London, they are confident that they can offer an excellent work environment, that is both professionally-rewarding whilst also providing an enjoyable place to work.

This role will see you having direct line management responsibility for a number of Planning officers; you will also manage your own caseload of major and strategic planning applications.

A key requirement of your role will be leading liaison and negotiation with major developers, architects and external consultants through paid pre-application meetings. You will negotiate complex S106 agreements in conjunction with discharging conditions and finalising reserved matters. With the support of your team you will draft detailed delegated reports and present at committee.

You will also make decisions for the Council under the Assistant Director’s delegated powers in respect of determining planning applications for up to 10 residential units and 1000sq.m of commercial development, householder planning applications, applications for Certificates of Lawful Development, vehicular accesses, shop fronts, shop advertisements and applications for works to trees, or such other applications as may be required by the Assistant Director.

We are looking for an established Principal Planner with experience of working for a Local Authority in the UK. You will need an excellent knowledge of UK planning regs and you will need majors experience alongside good leadership skills.

The initial contract will be 3 months with potential to extend given the workload. The rate will be £50.70/hr Umbrella, this role is inside IR35.

Our client offers hybrid working which can be clarified at interview stage.

Closing date for applications is the 14th Jul 2026.

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