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Senior Planning Officer

Witney, South Central
About The Role
Senior Planning Officer
£41,853 - £44,691 per annum 37 hours per week, Permanent contract Witney / agile working

Are you an experienced Planning Officer ready to take the next step in your career? West Oxfordshire District Council is seeking a Senior Planning Officer to join our friendly and forward thinking Development Management team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with around three years’ experience managing small residential or mixed use developments, who’s confident presenting at committee meetings and engaging with the public. You’ll handle a varied and interesting caseload across one of the most distinctive areas in the UK – from charming rural communities and bustling market towns to nationally significant sites such as Blenheim Palace and the RAF Brize Norton area.

Working as part of a small, supportive team of three within a wider Development Management service of ten and a Planning Service of forty, you’ll enjoy the benefits of close collaboration while being mentored by experienced Principal Planners. We offer a culture that values professional growth and knowledge sharing, helping you progress your career within local government. You’ll also work closely with colleagues across enforcement, policy, and specialist planning functions, gaining exposure to the full spectrum of planning work.

West Oxfordshire is an ambitious council actively investing in the digitisation of planning services, working with government grants to deliver smarter, more efficient service delivery. Whether you come from a local authority background seeking your next challenge, or from the private sector looking to move into public service, this role offers an exceptional opportunity to develop your expertise, shape great places, and make a lasting impact on one of England’s most beautiful and diverse districts.

You will need:
  • Planning or related degree
  • Eligibility for full Membership of the RTPI
  • Substantial relevant professional experience
  • Experience of working flexibly as part of a team and collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders
  • Experience of continuously improving services and developing products to meet customer need
  • Ability to deliver commitments, take ownership of caseload, and reshape plans to deliver required outcomes
Special Conditions
  • Full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle for work purposes.
  • This role is politically restricted; postholders are restricted from canvassing on behalf of a political party or for a person who is, or seeks to be, a candidate for election to a local authority, the House of Commons, or the European Parliament.
Vacancies can close earlier than stated if a high number of applications have been received. We recommend submitting your application as soon as possible. If applying through a job board, you’ll be redirected to our careers website to complete your application securely through our official recruitment system.

What we can do for you 
  • Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working.
  • Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role).
  • 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata for part time), increasing to 30 days after five years’ service and 33 days after ten years’ continuous service.
  • Two volunteering days per year to support a charity of your choice.
  • Health cash plan renewed for another year, offering cashback on health, dental and eye care.
  • Generous contributory local government pension scheme.
  • Employee Assistance Programme 24/7. Cycle to work scheme.
  • Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings on electric cars.
  • Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements.

About Us
 
West Oxfordshire District Council is a forward looking council, putting residents first and working in partnership to support our communities. We are delivering an ambitious Council Plan focused on priorities including affordable housing, climate and ecological action, economic growth, and community building. We also provide a range of essential local services including planning, housing, waste and recycling, leisure centres, community safety and environmental health.

Joining West Oxfordshire District Council means helping us achieve our goals for the district and supporting our communities, businesses and environment. Accredited under the Disability Confident scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria.
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people under 18, and adults at risk. Safer recruitment practices apply to all vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre employment medical questionnaire; provide references; proof of identity, nationality and immigration status; three years’ employment or education history (if applicable); and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.

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Job Details

  • Employer

    West Oxfordshire District Council

  • Location

    Witney, South Central

  • Salary

    £41,853 - £44,691

  • Contract Type

    Permanent

  • Job Level

    Planner / Planning Officer, Senior Planner / Senior Planning Officer

  • Reference

    PJCOM2828

  • Closing Date

    Sep 9, 2026

  • Function

    Town Planning

  • Sector

    Local Authority

  • Specialism

    Development Management Team