Planning Technician – 3 Month Contract

Location: Civic Centre, Walsall
Rate: £25.00 per hour (Umbrella)
Contract: 3 Month Contract
Hours: Full Time
Working Pattern: Hybrid Working – 1 Day On-Site (Tuesday) / 4 Days Remote
Pay: Bi-weekly

Summary

Walsall Council is in search of a skilled Planning Technician to enhance its Planning & Building Control Service. This pivotal role involves delivering technical support across Development Management, Planning Administration, and Local Land Charges. The position requires expertise in validating and registering planning applications, conducting technical evaluations, aiding Planning Committee operations, and offering guidance to applicants, architects, developers, and the public. The ideal candidate will possess robust administrative and technical capabilities, proficiency in interpreting plans and drawings, and a thorough understanding of planning legislation and application procedures.

Responsibilities

Planning Application Validation & Registration

• Validate a wide range of planning applications, including complex major ones.
  
• Evaluate applications against legislative standards, local policies, and national guidelines.
  
• Analyze and interpret technical plans, architectural drawings, and specialized reports.
  
• Calculate and confirm planning fees as per Planning Fee Regulations.
  
• Identify consultation needs and conduct statutory consultations.
  
• Publish planning documents ensuring adherence to Data Protection laws.
  
• Communicate with applicants, agents, architects, and developers regarding validation needs.
  

Planning Technical Support

• Offer technical advice and support to customers, applicants, and stakeholders.
  
• Evaluate applications under planning legislation and telecommunications regulations.
  
• Decide on the rejection of applications under Section 70A of the Town and Country Planning Act.
  
• Identify planning constraints and environmental factors affecting applications.
  
• Determine the necessity of statutory notices and arrange their publication.
  

Planning Committee Support

• Assist in the preparation and administration of Planning Committee meetings.
  
• Create photographs, plans, and presentation materials using editing software.
  
• Attend Planning Committee meetings outside regular office hours as needed.
  
• Support Councillors, officers, public speakers, and the public during meetings.
  

Local Land Charges & Searches

• Handle Local Land Charges searches.
  
• Complete CON29 searches and related documentation.
  
• Register and remove Local Land Charge entries.
  
• Process applications and fees for Local Land Charges.
  
• Maintain precise records and search data.
  

Appeals & Case Administration

• Oversee administrative tasks related to planning appeals.
  
• Process discharge of condition applications.
  
• Conduct internal and external consultations.
  
• Maintain accurate records using planning and GIS systems.
  
• Achieve service performance targets and statutory deadlines.
  

Requirements

Requirements:

• Experience in Planning, Development Management, Local Land Charges, or a similar technical field.
  
• Knowledge or awareness of:
  • Planning processes
    
  • Development Management
    
  • Local Land Charges
    
  • Planning legislation
    
• Ability to read, interpret, and measure technical plans and drawings.
  
• Proficiency in using IT systems and databases.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Strong organizational and workload management abilities.
  
• Capability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  
• Keen attention to detail and accuracy.
  
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
  
• Experience in a customer-focused environment.
  

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3, A-Levels, or equivalent qualification
  

OR

• Relevant experience within Planning or Local Land Charges.
  

Desirable Experience

• Experience within a Local Authority Planning Service.
  
• Familiarity with GIS systems such as MapInfo.
  
• Experience in validating planning applications.
  
• Experience supporting Planning Committees.
  
• Knowledge of the Town and Country Planning Act.
  
• Experience processing Local Land Charges searches.
  

Additional Requirements

• Attendance at Planning Committee meetings outside normal office hours when required.
  
• Casual Car User status.
  
• Site visits may be necessary, including in adverse weather conditions.
  
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, confidentiality, and customer service standards.
  

What's on Offer?

• £25.00 per hour (Umbrella)
  
• 3 Month Contract
  
• Hybrid Working – 1 Day On-Site (Tuesday)
  
• Location: Walsall Civic Centre
  
• Bi-weekly Pay
  
• Opportunity to work within a dynamic Planning & Building Control Service.
  
• Diverse role covering planning validation, technical support, appeals, committee administration, and Local Land Charges.
  
• Excellent opportunity for candidates with planning administration, technical support, or local authority planning experience.
  

Ideal for individuals with experience as a Planning Technician, Planning Support Officer, Development Management Technician, Planning Administration Officer, Technical Planning Officer, Local Land Charges Officer, or Planning & Building Control Support Officer.