Principal Planning Officer (ref: 1619)

• Principal_Planning_Officer_-_JD_PS

Contract Type – Full Time, Permanent

Closing Date – 5 November 2026

Winchester City Council is offering a purposeful and fulfilling career opportunity within our Planning Service.

We are seeking a Principal Planning Officer to join our Development Management team and play an important role in shaping Winchester’s District’s historic city, market towns, rural villages and countryside. You will help deliver high-quality development in accordance with local and national planning policy, balancing growth with the protection of our valued natural, built and historic environments.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planning professional looking to further develop their career within a supportive and forward-thinking local authority.

About The Role

As a Principal Planning Officer, you will manage a varied caseload of complex and challenging planning applications, pre-application enquiries and appeals. You will provide professional planning advice and recommendations, working within statutory timescales and contributing to the delivery of sustainable development across the district.

You will work closely with applicants, colleagues, consultees, elected members and local communities, representing the Council at Planning Committee and at appeal hearings and inquiries where required.

In addition to managing your own caseload, you will provide support, mentoring and guidance to junior members of the team, helping to develop their professional knowledge and decision-making skills. You will contribute to the continuous improvement of the service and play an active role in maintaining high standards of planning practice.

About You

We are looking for a knowledgeable and proactive planning professional with:

• Significant experience in Development Management and the determination of a broad range of planning applications.

• A sound knowledge of current planning legislation, policy and development management practice.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.

• Experience of handling complex planning issues and preparing balanced, well-reasoned recommendations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience of presenting reports to Planning Committee and representing the Council at appeals, hearings or public inquiries.

• The ability to work collaboratively and build effective professional relationships.

You will be a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), or eligible for membership, and committed to maintaining and developing your professional knowledge and skills.

Why Join Us?

Our offices are based in the heart of Winchester's historic cathedral city, and we operate a hybrid working model, with colleagues spending 50% of their time working from home and 50% in the office, including at least one day each week working together as a team.

We are proud of our friendly and supportive culture, where collaboration, respect and teamwork are at the heart of everything we do. We encourage our employees to take ownership of their work, develop their skills and contribute new ideas. By investing in our people and empowering them to succeed, we create an environment where everyone can thrive.

We offer an excellent package of benefits including:

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme

• Flexible working arrangements

• Competitive annual leave per year

• Free parking

• Season Ticket Loans

• Cycle to Work and Car Benefit salary sacrifice schemes

• Employer paid health cash plan

• Confidential Employee Advice and Support Programme

• Employee retail and leisure discounts

• Support for continuous professional development 

For more information about the role, please view the full job description and person specification attached. For an informal discussion regarding this post and the opportunities it offers, please contact Antonia Liu, Planning Manager on 01962 848212.