Principal Planner – Major Projects

Dartford is in the Borough of Kent adjoining London and located on the rivers Thames and Darent.  Dartford rail station, adjacent the Council offices, is the busiest in the County, part of the TfL Oyster card area, it links to a wide range of stations in London and in Kent via Thameslink and other services. In addition, Ebbsfleet International Rail Station (17mins to London) is located in the east of the Borough; there are good bus services, including TfL buses serving the area; as well as the FastTrack rapid transit system. Dartford is one of the very the fastest growing districts in the country, as a result of planned new and extended communities on brownfield land. As a place of choice for international, national and local businesses as well as Bluewater shopping centre and the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation; the Borough is a varied and exciting place for a career in planning.  We are now planning to 2037 and our focus is on Dartford Town Centre and securing large mixed use residential-led redevelopment as well as public realm and transport-related improvements.  We have maintained a 5 year housing land supply, and the NPPF compliant Local Plan is being updated with new policies now at examination. We have had a Community Infrastructure Levy in place for 8 years and this is being used to support and fund new infrastructure in the Borough.

As part of our Major Projects Team, you will influence and make recommendations on the largest and most complex planning applications in the Borough. We are looking for a qualified Town Planner with strong professional skills, experience of dealing with very large and complex urban developments and expertise or an interest in urban design. In particular this post will take a key role in the co-ordination and delivery of transformational developments in Dartford Town Centre and, as well as providing pre-application advice and dealing with planning applications, will also have the opportunity to be involved in the master planning and project work in the town centre, led by Planning Services.   Experience of responding to masterplans and design and layout of large-scale developments is required and experience of dealing with planning applications for high density urban developments will be an advantage.  You will also be familiar with infill development in a tight urban environment and where built heritage issues are involved. You will have strong negotiating skills and the ability to develop good partnership working. The successful applicant will join a professional, experienced and efficient Planning Services team where Development Management and Planning Strategy work closely together in order to ensure a cohesive approach to planning in Dartford. Dartford Borough Council provides a friendly and supportive working environment with flexibility offered through hybrid working and flexi-time, please contact us if you would like to discuss this further. 

You should be a qualified Town Planner with eligibility for or membership of the RTPI. If you would like to speak to someone about this post please contact Sarah Ashton, Development Manager on 01322 343608. Interview Date for this role is 9th March.