Development Planning Officer

As a Development Planning Officer you will manage activity relating to planning matters in a specific region of our operational area.
Each day will be different, and could involve responding to planning applications, pre-planning enquiries and new sewer connections in line with statutory deadlines.
As part of this role you will work collaboratively with colleagues across the business, as well as providing advice to our customers and keeping them informed of progress.

Utilising your previous planning knowledge, you will ensure that our interests are protected and, most importantly that risks to our Customers, Services and the Environment are minimised.

You will be responsible for:

• Carrying out planning activity such as responding to planning applications, pre-planning enquiries and new sewer connection applications with a view of facilitating development whilst protecting our interests and minimising risks to our customers and the environment.


• Being responsible for the achievement of timescales for job elements as delegated by the Lead Development Control Officer to achieve the overall scheme.


• Focus on providing a high-quality service to our customers, striving to meet National Levels of Service


• Manage external stakeholders engaged in planning activity (Local Planning Authority, government, regulatory bodies) promoting a proactive and informed planning function.


• Engage with officers in Local Planning Authority areas ensuring that they have a full understanding of Welsh Water planning consultation responses and be sure that they adhere to our advice.


• Manage responses to provide information for feasibility studies, hydraulic models & water cycle studies.


• When necessary provide relevant input into customer complaints.


• Participate in monthly reporting and reviews.


• Compliance with processes and procedures at all times during the execution of all activities.


• Working closely with planning team colleagues and wider development control function to carry out other duties as required to meet business needs.


Who you'll work with

Internal


• Developer Service Team


• Clean and Wastewater Operations


• Waste & Water Asset Teams


External


• Customers (Private, Business Customers, Retailers, Developers, Solicitors, Design Consultancies)


• Local Authorities (Planning, Building Control, etc.)


• Contractors, Land Agents, etc.
  
  Educated to degree level or equivalent in relevant subject OR experience working in a Planning profession


• Experience of working in the water industry is desirable, but not essential


If you have the following skills we would be happy to hear from you:


• Good communication skills - both verbal and written


• Experience of stakeholder management


• Able to perform as part of a team


• Ability to work to tight regulatory and project deadlines


Good to know


• Hybrid Working - a mix of home and office.


• Office location (within Wales) to be agreed with successful candidate
  
  Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water keep 3 million people healthy each day with safe, reliable water, and take away wastewater to clean, before returning it safely to our beautiful rivers and seas.


To be able to deliver high quality, essential services which help to protect the health of our customers, colleagues and our environment, we need the right people to deliver on our vision. This is achieved by living our core values and demonstrating the core behaviours that underpin them. The security of our people, assets and information is key to us, so we are looking for people who understand and comply with the company's required security objectives.

We know that the most successful teams are the most diverse teams. Equality, diversity and inclusion provide the very foundation to our culture at Welsh Water. We want every individual to feel confident, proud and able to bring their whole selves to work.

To ensure an improved representation in our workforce, applications are particularly welcome from minority groups including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people, Females, LGBT+, Non-binary and people with disabilities. Together we continue to build a workplace that not only celebrates the diverse voices of our colleagues but also represents each customer we serve.

In essence, ours is a company based on trust, openness, respect, commitment and honesty. A company that our colleagues are proud to work for.

As well as a market competitive salary, 33 days annual leave (pro rata, including public holidays), we offer a range of employee benefits and rewards including:


• Variable pay schemes (your salary band will remain the same, but performance depending, you could receive an incremental within-band increase and a yearly incentive)



• Enhanced employer pension contributions - Up to 11% employer contributions



• Enhanced family friendly policies



• Progression opportunities, including the ability to apply for funded training and coaching and mentoring programmes



• Reduction on gym memberships and high street shopping



• Cycle to work scheme



• Free on-site parking at all our sites



• 20% off all Welsh Water visitor attraction centres and gift shops



• Car-leasing scheme



• Health CashBack scheme



• An employee assistance programme for employees and their immediate family



• Colleague matched fundraising scheme up to the value of £500 per year for your chosen charity


Whilst also working for a not-for profit company that truly cares about earning the trust of customers everyday, and about looking after our beautiful environment

Please note, we may close this role sooner if required. We may also extend the original closing date depending on interest.

Due to the nature of the industry, we require satisfactory references, post offer medical clearance, and a criminal records Basic Disclosure check on all new employees joining the business. For some roles there may be additional checks and security clearance required, and this offer is subject to all checks being satisfied. You will receive further information on how to complete these checks via email once you have accepted this offer.