Principal Planner officer Development Management Team Location: Reading Salary: £50 per hour Hybrid working with site visits About the Role Are you an experienced planning professional looking for a senior role where you can make a real impact? We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Planner to join our Development Management Team. In this role, you will assist and deputise for the Development Management Team Leader and play a key role in the effective delivery of the planning service. This position involves handling complex planning applications, strategic projects, and policy work, as well as supervising junior staff and contributing to enforcement action. The successful candidate will be responsible for shaping development proposals, negotiating significant planning benefits, and ensuring that high-quality planning outcomes are achieved. Key Responsibilities Manage and prioritise a diverse and complex workload, including major planning applications and policy development. Provide expert planning advice and make recommendations to Planning Committees on complex and politically sensitive matters. Act as an expert witness at planning hearings, public inquiries, and legal proceedings to defend decisions and policies. Provide instructions to the legal team on planning matters, including policy issues, enforcement cases, Section 106 agreements, and appeals. To be successful in this role, you will need: Extensive experience in development management planning, ..... full job details .....