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

Do you want to be involved in the providing technical and administration support across the whole of the planning service with a particular focus on the validation of a varied range of work that ranges from award winning residential extensions and developments, work contributing to our ambitious small sites programme and supporting the growth of our high streets.

Then this role is for you – join our high-performing, nationally ‘Gold Rated’ 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 use design‑led densification to help create and shape vibrant, well-designed neighbourhoods where people can truly thrive.

Our newly adopted Local Plan has a vision for the borough to 2040, and we have huge ambition for new housing growth and investment in our places.

As principally a validation officer, you’ll be responsible for the administration, processing and validating a wide range of planning applications and the organisation of planning appeals. We're seeking motivated and enthusiastic candidates who are passionate about planning and can make a difference in customer service.

What’s the role?

You will manage the full process of validation for planning applications and appeals and be working as part of a supportive team.

Your main responsibilities will include:

Supporting Planning in the validation, registration and consultation of planning applications.
Providing validation advice to customers, agents and members of the public.
Monitoring and co-ordination of planning appeals
Assisting in the organisation and preparation of Public Inquiries and Hearings.

You will also be involved in projects and maybe required to partake in other administration work within the Planning Service.

What’s in it for you?

You will gain substantial experience in the validation of planning applications and the handling of appeals with excellent training opportunities.

The council also offers a range of generous benefits, including:

Local Government Pension Scheme,
Flexible working,
Family-friendly policies,
Season ticket and bicycle loans,
Subsidised gym memberships, and
Supportive staff networks

What we’re looking for

You will be an administration officer with relevant experience, who has an appreciation of national and local validation requirements and can work independently, managing a range of competing demands with initiative. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, as the role involves working closely with applicants, residents, consultants and colleagues across the council.

You should bring:

Good organisational, written and verbal communication and IT skills
Ability to prioritise and allocate work to meet deadlines.
Attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency in planning validation and advice for various customers.

Location

The role is based at Laurence House, Catford, with hybrid working (minimum two days a week in the office, currently Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and from home on a regular basis.

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 aaron.lau@lewisham.gov.uk

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

Salary

£40,404 - £41,637 per annum (SO1)

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