Principal Planning Officer - Team Leader South

Closing date - 13th April 2025

Interview date - 21st April 2025

Contract type - Permanent/Full-time (37 hours per week)

To apply, please click the 'apply' button above or send your CV and covering letter to hrrecruitment@winchester.gov.uk.

Winchester City Council has an exciting career opportunity for a Principal Planning Officer who is very well established in their role and looking to progress and take on the management and leadership of a high performing Development Management Team. We are seeking an ambitious individual to help shape our charming historic towns, villages and countryside.  Our emerging Local Plan is ambitious and we are preparing also for the anticipated planning reforms.

Winchester is a unique place. A place of history and heritage that today is home to a vibrant and diverse cultural scene, a strong local economy, and is set within a beautiful landscape with 40% of the district inside the South Downs National Park. And it’s a destination that attracts visitors from across the world. It should come as no surprise that it’s a place where expectations and ambitions are high. That’s what makes this role such an exciting professional opportunity.

There’s plenty going on in our district major regeneration projects, meeting the growing demand for housing and employment with ambitious environmental targets. So there is plenty for you to get involved in – all set within the context of a place that’s world famous for its heritage and history. Our residents are rightly protective of the unique character of our district and committed stakeholder engagement will be central to success in this role.

The successful candidate will be a Chartered Member of the RTPI, well established already working at a principal level and ideally have some experience of Management in a Local Authority based Planning Development with experience of a variety of major and minor developments overseeing them through to implementation. 

What is important to us is getting the right fit to work proactively and adaptably with the team members, developers and customers.

The post also offers the following benefits:

• Employer paid health cash plan
• Cycle to Work and Car Benefit salary sacrifice schemes
• 26 days annual leave per year rising to 33 days - dependent on length of service
• Flexible working arrangements
• 13 days additional flexi leave per year (subject to operational requirements)
• Option to buy up to 5 days additional annual leave
• Free parking during work hours
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Discounted membership at the two leisure centres in the district
• Confidential Employee Advice and Support Programme
• Employee retail and shopping discounts
• Season Ticket Loans
• Excellent working environment
• Support for continuous professional development

Join the Service Lead: Built Environment to work together to mentor and coach a highly motivated team and deliver the Service Plan of the Built Environment and the adopted and emerging Local Plan, through a customer focused high quality planning service, ensuring that we are resilient to the changing planning and local government environment.

If you are interested in working for Winchester City Council please contact Lorna Hutchings – Service Lead: Built Environment for an informal chat about the roles available 01962 848 290.