Planning Officer

Job Description

Discover yourself in Lewisham, where your work makes a meaningful difference to our vibrant and diverse communities.

Lewisham is proud of its long history of welcoming people from all over the world and its recognition as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are committed to shaping neighbourhoods that are inclusive, resilient, and well designed.

Introduction

Lewisham is entering the next phase of its Warmer Homes: Social Housing Fund (SHF) programme, a major initiative aimed at improving the comfort, energy efficiency and long-term performance of our homes. As this programme progresses, Planning will play a central role in guiding applications, ensuring high-quality design, and supporting the delivery of sustainable retrofit across the borough.

This is a two-year fixed term post is designed to provide dedicated planning expertise for the SHF programme while also contributing to the wider work of our area teams. Your focus will be on shaping and assessing proposals associated with SHF works, helping ensure that retrofit schemes meet planning requirements and achieve good outcomes for residents. As the programme moves into its later stages, your work will naturally transition toward discharging conditions and supporting the completion of the delivery phase.

Alongside this, you will gain experience across a broad range of planning applications, from award-winning residential extensions to small sites and town centre developments, within one of London’s most diverse and dynamic boroughs.

What’s the role?

You will manage the full process for planning and related applications, including those connected to SHF schemes. Working as part of a supportive team, you will be responsible for:

• Carrying out consultations, site visits and appraisal of proposals
• Assessing retrofit-related planning submissions, including windows, doors, insulation, external fabric changes, ventilation measures and associated works
• Negotiating amendments to improve design quality, sustainability and resident experience
• Preparing clear, well-reasoned reports with recommendations
• Presenting applications to Planning Committee where required
• Preparing statements for Written Representation Appeals
• Supporting condition discharge during the final phase of the programme, ensuring completed works align with planning expectations

As part of your responsibilities, you will work closely with teams across the Housing and Place Directorates involved in the programme. This will give you the opportunity to understand the lifecycle of a major retrofit initiative and the role planning plays in shaping sustainable, long-term improvements to the borough’s homes.

This is a two-year fixed term post.

What’s in it for you?

You will gain substantial experience in:

• Development management across a varied caseload
• The planning knowledge of large-scale retrofit and building improvement
• Cross-disciplinary working with teams involved in housing delivery, sustainability and climate resilience
• The practical application of planning policy to support healthier, more energy-efficient homes

The council also offers generous benefits, including a Local Government Pension Scheme, flexible working, family-friendly policies, season ticket and bicycle loans, subsidised gym memberships, and a strong commitment to professional development.

This post is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build skills in planning while deepening their knowledge of sustainable development, retrofit and the evolving challenges of managing an ageing housing stock in the context of the climate emergency.

What we’re looking for

You will have relevant experience in planning or a closely related field, with the ability to manage your own workload and work collaboratively within a team. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, as the role involves working closely with applicants, residents, consultants and colleagues across the council.

You should bring:

• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organisational abilities and attention to detail
• A thoughtful, respectful approach to negotiation and casework
• An interest in sustainable development, housing quality and the changing demands placed on buildings

An RTPI-accredited qualification is desirable but not essential; relevant experience and a willingness to learn are equally valued.

Location

The role is based at Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU with hybrid working (minimum two days a week in the office).

Special conditions

• The successful candidate will ideally hold a RTPI accredited undergraduate or postgraduate degree, but relevant experience is the most important
• Occasional weeknight working is required for this job (Planning Committees are held in the evening)

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 angus.saunders@lewisham.gov.uk

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

Salary

£32,442 to £44,235 per annum (SC4-SO2)

The post is a two-year fixed term career grade post at SC4/6 with opportunities to be promoted to higher grades via our appraisal process once the probationary period is successfully completed.

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 JobsAndSkills@lewisham.gov.uk and an advisor will be in touch with you.

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

Let’s stay connected, follow us on social media:

LinkedIn Facebook X Instagram