Planning Officer Career Grade

London, England, United Kingdom

4/7/2025

Job Description

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!

We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

Introduction

Do you want to be involved in major and transformational projects? Delivering infrastructure, high quality architecture, new town centres and parks?

Then this role is for you – come join our planning team.

From Lewisham Town Centre with its major shopping centre and market, Deptford’s nightlife to Blackheath's village atmosphere and the woodlands of Beckenham Place Park, Lewisham is one of London’s most diverse and rapidly evolving areas. We now have a unique opportunity for a forward-thinking town planner to help create and shape vibrant, well-designed neighbourhoods where people can truly thrive.

Our next Local Plan is in preparation with a vision for the borough to 2040, and we have huge ambition for new housing growth and investment in our places.

Are you an experienced planning professional ready to take the lead on high-profile housing, cultural and regeneration projects? Lewisham Council is seeking a Senior/Principal Town Planner to take a lead role in major developments that will shape the borough’s future. This is a unique opportunity to lead on complex, strategic projects, working closely with stakeholders to deliver high-quality, sustainable developments and vibrant communities. If you have the leadership, vision, and expertise to make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you!

What’s the role?

As a Senior Planning Officer, you will play a key leadership role in managing and delivering complex planning projects that shape the future of Lewisham’s communities. You will lead on major housing, regeneration, and infrastructure schemes, providing expert planning advice and ensuring high-quality, sustainable development. Key responsibilities will include managing and assessing complex pre-application inquiries and planning applications, leading on strategic regeneration and development projects, working with developers, stakeholders, and communities and mentoring and supporting junior planning officers, fostering a high-performing Planning Service, and deputising for team leaders when required.

What’s in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks
  
  

What We’re Looking For

You will be an experienced town planner, politically astute with an appreciation of London and national politics and have the ability to work independently, managing a range of competing demands with initiative. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, as you’ll support and collaborate with a diverse range of individuals. Good organisational, communication, and IT skills are also required, including the ability to prioritise and allocate work to meet deadlines. Attention to detail is key, ensuring accuracy and consistency in planning recommendations and advice for various customers. You’ll also apply your research and analytical skills to stay informed and continually expand your planning knowledge, whilst taking account of corporate priorities.

Location

The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office (minimum two days per week, currently Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and from home on a regular basis.

Special conditions

• The successful candidate will ideally hold a RTPI accredited undergraduate or postgraduate degree
• Occasional weeknight working is required for this job
  
  

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CV’s.

Applicant handbook - please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

For an informal discussion about this job, please contact [email protected]

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

Salary

£47,628 - £49,638 per annum (PO3)

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

We are recognised by the Mayor of London with the ‘Good Work Standard’ having ‘Excellent’ status which recognised our commitment to fair working and pay conditions and all-round support offers.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works , which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email [email protected] and an advisor will be in touch with you.

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