Senior Planning Officer (ref:417)

• Senior_Planning_Officer_417_-_Job_Description_and_Person_Specification

Please apply online via the link provided.

Closing date: Thursday 23 July 2026
Interview date: Monday 3 August 2026

Please apply online via Winchester City Council's website.

Exciting Career Opportunity
Winchester City Council is offering a purposeful and fulfilling career opportunity within the Planning Department to ensure a high-standard and efficient service.

We are seeking experienced and motivated Senior Planning Officer to join our Planning Development Management Service and play a role in shaping our historic city, market towns, rural villages and countryside in accordance with local and national policies and guidance. Our recently adopted, ambitious Local Plan places sustainability at its heart, with a focus on responding to and mitigating the challenges of climate change, affordability, and phosphate and nitrate nutrient pollution.

About You
For the role of Senior Planning Officer, we are looking for a planner with sound knowledge of current planning legislation who is capable of managing a varied caseload of planning work. This includes complex pre-application enquiries, planning applications and post-decision matters, appeals, and occasional involvement in planning enforcement.

You must be well-organised, have good judgment and capable of developing good working relationships to contribute positively to the team and deliver a high standard of customer service.

Strong written communication skills and experience of presenting at Planning Committee is required, and you will be a member of the RTPI or eligible for membership. A full clean driving licence is essential.

What Winchester Offers
Our offices are based in the heart of Winchester’s historic Cathedral City, and we operate hybrid working with 50% of our time working from home and 50% working in the office, including at least one day each week together as a team.

We foster a friendly and supportive team culture, where collaboration and mutual respect which underpin everything we do. We believe that people perform at their best when they feel empowered. These values and approach are embodied in our corporate values.

We are also committed to professional development, offering opportunities for continuous learning, skills growth, and career progression through training, mentorship and on-the-job experience.

Successful candidates will benefit from:

• Local government pension scheme
• 26 to 33 days annual leave (depending on length of Local Government Service) plus all Bank Holidays
• Flexi time scheme
• Paid membership fees to the RTPI (if applicable)
• UK healthcare cash plan, employee assistance programme, discount memberships at Winchester Sport and Leisure Park and other employee benefits

For an informal discussion about the role available and working for Winchester City Council, please contact Simon Avery, Principal Planning Officer - Team Leader North (01962 848572) or Deborah Smith, Principal Planning Officer - Team Leader South (01962 842814).