Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames - Senior Planners (Development Management & Enforcement)

Senior Planners - Development Management and Enforcement

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.

Why Kingston?

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.

What you’ll do:

●       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:

Development Management

●       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.

Planning Enforcement

●       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.

Career progression:

●       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.

What we’re looking for:

●       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.

For a confidential discussion contact: brian.gallagher@penna.com or 07716 098175

For further information visit: https://kingstonjobs.co.uk/

Closing date: 11:59pm, Sunday 1st March 2026

How to Apply

1. Upload your CV under “Please select one of the options below.”
2. Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.
3. Use ‘Add Attachments’ to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.
4. Please ensure that the file name of your CV and supporting statement includes your full name.
5. Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.
6. If you have a long term health condition or disability and would like your application to be considered in accordance with a Disability Confident Scheme, please email: execapplications@penna.com to inform the Penna team.