Senior Planners - Development Management and Enforcement

Senior Planners - Development Management and Enforcement

Salary: £42,060 – £52,194 - Career Grade – H/I

Shape Kingston’s Places. Influence Decisions. Grow Your Career.

We’re looking for talented and motivated planning professionals to join Kingston’s Planning Service across Development Management and Planning Enforcement. This career-grade opportunity offers structured progression, meaningful responsibility and the chance to work at the heart of one of London’s most complex and rewarding planning environments.

Kingston operates within a demanding London planning context — high housing need, ambitious regeneration, climate‑led design expectations and strong community engagement. From strategic sites and sensitive heritage assets to enforcement challenges and Local Plan delivery, our planners play a vital role in shaping high‑quality, sustainable places.

This role offers flexibility, professional development and the opportunity to progress from Planner through to Principal Planning Officer, supported by strong leadership and a collaborative culture.

• Deliver high‑quality, timely and defensible planning advice to applicants, residents, Members and stakeholders.
• Manage a caseload aligned to your experience and grade, meeting statutory timescales and borough performance standards.
• Work collaboratively with internal services and external partners including the GLA, TfL, statutory consultees and community organisations.
• Support service improvement, digital transformation and modern ways of working.
• Promote inclusive engagement, sustainable development and equitable outcomes across all planning activities.

Depending on your specialism, you will also:

• Assess and determine planning applications, undertake site visits and negotiations, and prepare delegated and committee reports.
• Represent the Council at appeals, hearings and inquiries at Senior and Principal level.

• Investigate alleged breaches of planning control, prepare formal enforcement actions and represent the Council at appeals, hearings and court proceedings.
• Work collaboratively to secure proportionate, negotiated compliance where appropriate.

Senior Planner (H–I): Leading complex work, mentoring colleagues and supporting Member engagement.

Principal Planner (J): Leading major and sensitive work, providing quality assurance, mentoring staff, exercising delegated authority and deputising for the Lead Officer.

• A degree in Town Planning or a related built‑environment discipline or experience in an enforcement environment e.g. Local Authority or Police.
• Commitment to professional development, with or eligible for RTPI or other professional body (for enforcement) membership or progression toward chartered status (as appropriate to grade).
• Strong professional judgement, clear communication skills and a collaborative approach.
• Experience relevant to your specialism (Development Management, Policy or Enforcement), with the ability to work confidently in a complex London borough context.

Join us and build your planning career in Kingston — shaping places, supporting communities and progressing through a clear, supported professional pathway.

To apply please click on the 'apply button'