Planning Enforcement Officer
| Posting date: | 18 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £32,597 to £36,363 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 20 March 2026 |
| Location: | Winchester, Hampshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Winchester City Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 433 |
Summary
Closing date: Sunday 22 March 2026
Interview date: Tuesday 7 April 2026
To apply, please click the 'Apply' button above or send your CV and Covering Letter outlining how you meet the requirements of the role to HRRecruitment@winchester.gov.uk.
Winchester City Council is committed to protecting and enhancing the district’s natural and built environments. We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our Planning Enforcement Team, helping us ensure that development across the district is carried out responsibly and in line with planning controls.
About the Role
As a Planning Enforcement Officer, you will play a key part in investigating and resolving alleged breaches of planning regulations. Your responsibilities will include:
- Carrying out site visits to assess potential breaches of planning control.
- Determining appropriate actions where breaches are identified, including inviting planning applications, negotiating solutions, or issuing formal notices.
- Monitoring compliance with enforcement notices, which may involve preparing cases for prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court or arranging direct action.
- Working closely with members of the public, Parish Councils, colleagues across the Council, and other external partners.
This is a varied and rewarding role that offers the opportunity to make a real difference in preserving the quality and character of our district.
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
- Confident and skilled in communication and negotiation.
- Organised, methodical, and able to prioritise a diverse workload effectively.
- Comfortable using IT systems and producing clear, professional written correspondence.
- Able to meet the travel requirements of the role.
Experience with the planning process or reading and scaling architectural plans is beneficial but not essential. We welcome applicants at all stages of their career and provide on the job training to help you thrive.
What We Can Offer You
Based in the heart of Winchester’s historic cathedral city, our offices provide an excellent working environment along with a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Hybrid-working (50% in the office, 50% at home – after first 3 weeks in office)
- Employer paid health cash plan
- Salary sacrifice scheme for cars and bikes
- 26 days annual leave per year rising to 33 days - dependent on length of service
- 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) at any Winchester Park and Ride
- Membership to the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Discounts at a range of major high street brands and the two leisure centres in the district
- Season Ticket loans
- Excellent working environment
- Support for continuous professional development
For an informal discussion, please contact Maddie Clavey, Team Leader – Enforcement via email at MClavey@winchester.gov.uk.
Interview date: Tuesday 7 April 2026
To apply, please click the 'Apply' button above or send your CV and Covering Letter outlining how you meet the requirements of the role to HRRecruitment@winchester.gov.uk.
Winchester City Council is committed to protecting and enhancing the district’s natural and built environments. We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our Planning Enforcement Team, helping us ensure that development across the district is carried out responsibly and in line with planning controls.
About the Role
As a Planning Enforcement Officer, you will play a key part in investigating and resolving alleged breaches of planning regulations. Your responsibilities will include:
- Carrying out site visits to assess potential breaches of planning control.
- Determining appropriate actions where breaches are identified, including inviting planning applications, negotiating solutions, or issuing formal notices.
- Monitoring compliance with enforcement notices, which may involve preparing cases for prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court or arranging direct action.
- Working closely with members of the public, Parish Councils, colleagues across the Council, and other external partners.
This is a varied and rewarding role that offers the opportunity to make a real difference in preserving the quality and character of our district.
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
- Confident and skilled in communication and negotiation.
- Organised, methodical, and able to prioritise a diverse workload effectively.
- Comfortable using IT systems and producing clear, professional written correspondence.
- Able to meet the travel requirements of the role.
Experience with the planning process or reading and scaling architectural plans is beneficial but not essential. We welcome applicants at all stages of their career and provide on the job training to help you thrive.
What We Can Offer You
Based in the heart of Winchester’s historic cathedral city, our offices provide an excellent working environment along with a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Hybrid-working (50% in the office, 50% at home – after first 3 weeks in office)
- Employer paid health cash plan
- Salary sacrifice scheme for cars and bikes
- 26 days annual leave per year rising to 33 days - dependent on length of service
- 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) at any Winchester Park and Ride
- Membership to the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Discounts at a range of major high street brands and the two leisure centres in the district
- Season Ticket loans
- Excellent working environment
- Support for continuous professional development
For an informal discussion, please contact Maddie Clavey, Team Leader – Enforcement via email at MClavey@winchester.gov.uk.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.