JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
Essex County Council is supporting Braintree District Council to recruit a temporary Principal Planner for six months, with one on site day per week in Braintree and a rate of £55 per hour umbrella. You will act as Case Officer for major and strategic schemes, manage projects, liaise with consultees and communities, prepare committee reports and recommendations, and present to Planning Committee. You will also mentor junior planners and help assemble agendas while aligning with Development Management and Planning Policy. Essential: planning degree with RTPI eligibility, experience in strategic DM, appeals, Section 106, and strong report writing and presentation skills, plus a driving licence and car. To apply, tailor your CV to demonstrate complex DM delivery, deadlines, site inspections, and public engagement, and submit before 15 July 2026.
Principal Planner
Braintree District Council
Temporary, Full Time
£55.00 ph umbrella
Location: Braintree
Closing Date: 15th July 2026
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit a Principal Planner on a temporary basis for a period of 6 months. Please note role will be based 1 day per week on site.
Job purpose
To act as Case Officer for strategic and major scale planning applications and appeals, including where Planning Performance Agreements are utilised.
Accountabilities
- To take responsibility as case officer for key strategic developments, including all the related project management; consultee and community liaison; Council Member interface and engagement of specialist consultancy as tasked by the Housing Delivery and Growth Team leader.
- The provision of advice to Planning Committee on all aspects of Development Management relating to planning applications for which you are the Case Officer; preparing Committee reports and recommendations and helping to assemble agendas.
- To attend Planning Committee meetings alongside the lead Officer and present reports and recommendations where you are the Case Officer.
- To mentor and support Planners who provide assistance to the role in the context of specific development proposals at pre-application, application and post-decision stages.
- The implementation of all aspects of the Council’s plans and policies through Development Management and through liaison with the Planning Policy team and other Council Services.
- To assess planning and related applications, discuss proposals with applicants, undertake site inspections and advise the public on proposals, as appropriate.
- To prepare evidence for appeals and represent the Council at Hearings and Public Inquiries if required.
- To represent the Development Management Service, as required, in the development of cross-Service corporate strategies and projects.
Skills, knowledge & experience
- Planning degree or equivalent qualification and eligibility for RTPI Membership
- Relevant experience in a range of strategic and major scale development management work with a planning authority, including appeals, reporting to Committee and other formal and informal meetings
- Experience of negotiating Section 106 agreements
- Experience in a range of Development Management (DM) work, including complex applications, appeals and providing pre application advice
- Understanding of Planning Law and national planning policies/guidance relating to DM
- Ability to interpret plans and understand related information
- Ability to prepare clear written reports/statements fit for the relevant audience
- Ability to present reports to public/member meetings
- Ability to work to plan own workload and meet concise deadlines
- An awareness of the national planning policy perspective
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Current UK Driving Licence and access to a car
- Good knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities
Why choose Braintree District Council?
The Development Management Team at Braintree District Council is a great place to work. This role is needed to add additional capacity to the existing team rather than to backfill a vacancy and is reflective of the increasing quantity of exciting strategic scale work which the team is accommodating. The team at Braintree is a friendly, approachable and well established team with a positive approach and a high level of professional pride.
