About Us

The role

 An exciting opportunity has arisen for enthusiastic and committed Principal Planner to join our fast-moving efficient and high-profile Strategic Development Team. 

The work would focus on handling a range of planning application casework for major and minor development and applications discharging planning conditions and satisfying planning obligations for major sites located within the Nine Elms Opportunity Area and the nascent Clapham Junction Opportunity Area, as well as 2 large Council regeneration schemes. There will be an opportunity to be involved in large scale developments, progress complex development proposals and contribute to placemaking. The job requires liaison and negotiation with primary stakeholders, consultees and residents to ensure that high quality, sustainable development is delivered in Wandsworth which aims to promote and strengthen existing local communities and to maximise the provision of affordable housing and secure PPA income to carry out this workstream.

 Why?

Development in the Nine Elms Opportunity Area is shaping the environment for people attracted to the area since the construction and opening of a new tube station for the northern line extension, the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station and the implementation and creation of a new Linear Park as well as new residential, commercial and community space. These developments and their setting have been important in placemaking terms and will continue to identify the area on the south-side of the River Thames as an exciting place to live, work and visit. 

 Other strategic work involves the regeneration of existing Council housing estates to effect placemaking, improve existing and build new homes, provide affordable housing and community facilities for residents. 

 You’ll Need

You will need to be confident, work well with Council colleagues and stakeholders to ensure that your output is effectively and efficiently carried out in accordance with adopted planning policies to meet statutory targets for decisions and to uphold the reputation of the Strategic Planning Team with developers and applicants. 

You would be expected to have good communication, customer care and inter-personal skills and be able to draft professional delegated / committee reports as well as general correspondence and emails. 

 About us

You will be part of our friendly and dedicated team which handles strategic development in the Opportunity Area and within the Winstanley and Alton estates. The team works proactively with developers and their agents usually within an agreed PPA timetable that is completely self-financing. We have been successful in attracting high quality development and world class architects to the Nine Elms Opportunity Area to provide a legacy for the future. 

There is an opportunity to provide mentoring of junior colleagues, represent the team externally and internally, attend meetings with exceptional architects, attend training courses such as UDL (Urban Design London) and NLA (New London Architecture). 

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:  19^th January 2024

Shortlisting Dates: 22^nd - 23^rd January 2024

Interview Dates: 29^th - 30^th January 2024

Useful Information:

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. 

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

The application process for this role is anonymised

Important Information:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils