Senior Planner – Development Management

Shape the Future of Norwich

Norwich City Council is looking for a highly motivated Senior Planner (Development Management) to play a leading role in delivering a high¿quality, customer¿focused planning service in one of the UK’s most historic and forward¿thinking cities.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced planning professional seeking to take the next step in their career—working on a wide variety of development proposals, regeneration projects, policy work, and cross¿authority initiatives that directly shape the future of Norwich.

As a Senior Planner (Development Management), you will:

• Work independently at a senior professional level to deliver the full range of statutory planning and development management functions.
• Provide high¿quality planning advice to applicants, agents, the public, councillors, and other stakeholders.
• Process and determine planning applications, negotiate amendments, secure planning obligations, and prepare robust reports and recommendations.
• Contribute to planning enforcement by assessing unauthorised development and advising on appropriate actions.
• Support preparation, monitoring, and review of spatial planning policies, including work linked to the Local Development Framework.
• Present cases at Planning Applications Committee and represent the Council at appeals, hearings, and public inquiries.
• Help develop and improve service performance, systems, and workflow management.
• Assist in the informal supervision, mentoring, and training of Planners and deputise for the Development Management Team Leader when required.
• Work collaboratively across services, with partner authorities (including the Greater Norwich Growth Board), and support wider corporate priorities.
• Promote a culture of innovation, customer service, and continuous improvement.

About You

You will be an experienced and confident planning professional who can operate effectively at a senior level. You will bring:

Essential Knowledge & Experience

• Strong understanding of planning law, development management processes, spatial planning, sustainable development, and urban regeneration.
• Significant experience processing planning applications, writing reports, preparing appeal statements, negotiating planning obligations, and providing planning advice.
• Experience working with listed buildings and conservation issues.
• Familiarity with Environmental Impact Assessment, stakeholder engagement, and service performance requirements.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present at committees and public meetings.
• Strong analytical abilities and confidence interpreting plans, drawings, and technical data.
• Ability to negotiate effectively, make sound planning judgments, and manage your own workload to meet deadlines.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.
• Ability to mentor colleagues and contribute positively to team development.
• Competence using standard office and specialist planning systems, including GIS.

Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree or diploma in Planning.
• Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), or the ability and commitment to achieve it.

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