Welcome
A message from Adrian Thorpe,
The Head of the Built Environment
This is an exciting time to work for Oadby and Wigston Borough Council.
Having adopted our Local Plan in April, we are now working with developers to bring forward three strategic housing sites, each at different stages in their development. We aspire to deliver developments featuring high quality design and which will deliver new jobs and infrastructure to support the growth.
The Borough has a great location, close to the excitement of the City of Leicester and some of the most beautiful and peaceful rural parts of Leicestershire which extend into the Borough itself. From fantastic examples of houses dating from the Arts and Crafts movement in Oadby to the Victorian terraces of South Wigston built by philanthropist Orson Wright for the workers employed in his Brick Works, Oadby and Wigston has a proud and unique heritage which we aim to look after through the planning decisions that we make.
We are looking to regenerate our three town centres, and have masterplans and Local Development Orders in place which are just beginning to bear fruit with development proposals coming forward. Not to mention future growth in the Borough that will be delivered through the Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Growth Plan that looks forward to 2050 and which has been developed by the Borough Council and its partner authorities.
Our team is small, but dedicated and hard-working and we are looking for people who will fit into our professional and friendly team. We look forward to receiving your application – good luck!
A message from Anne Court,
The Chief Executive
Thank you for taking the time to consider working as our new Senior Development Control Officer here at Oadby and Wigston Borough Council.
The Council’s vision is a “Stronger Borough Together, Improving the Lives of Our Communities. Oadby and Wigston is a borough that is continuing to thrive and develop, developing our communities and economy,
enabling and shaping growth and delivering services to our customers to the highest standard.
With a new Local Plan adopted in April 2019, a forward programme that includes redevelopment of our three town centres and delivering on our housing needs required to cater for our population, we have a lot of work to be getting on with. We have recently attracted public sector investment to assist us in delivering our objectives. You will bring your experiences, knowledge, expertise and ability to work proactively with private and public partners to bring our ambitions to life and make a real difference to the Borough.
Oadby and Wigston is a great place to live, work and visit and our Council is a great organisation to work for. We empower our employees to be creative in how we deliver our services, and this delivers fantastic outcomes for residents, businesses, partners and visitors alike. If this opportunity excites you and you have the qualities that can bring you success in this role, help lead the organisation in delivering our vision, then I encourage you to apply for this role.
A message from John Boyce,
The Leader
“Building, Protecting and Empowering Communities” and “Growing the Borough Economically” are two of the Council's three new corporate priorities from 2019 2024, which we have committed to deliver over the next five years
Our Council is one that has a sound financial footing, and it is looking secure this footing further, whilst simultaneously improve our services
and widen our delivery options – something that underpins our new 5-year Corporate Plan. We have ambitious plans to build houses, improve our already green borough, encourage businesses, both new and established to work in our borough and improve the lives of our communities.
You will be part of a team that works especially hard to deliver the Council’s objectives. We are a Council that continues to evolve, never rests on its successes and learns from where it has not succeeded, and as a result we can deliver fantastic services and make great things happen.
About us
Oadby and Wigston has a population of 55,800 people contained within an area of around nine square miles, of which approximately two thirds is urban. The City of Leicester is to the north with the city centre just four miles north of Wigston. Harborough district and the market town of Market Harborough is to the south and east and Blaby district is to the west. We are one of seven district councils in Leicestershire.
An Ideal Location
- South Wigston has its own railway station with direct links to Birmingham and Leicester. London is about an hour by train from Leicester
- East Midland Airport is 40 minutes drive away
- The M1 and M69 are 10 minutes drive away with excellent links across the Country
A Great Place to Live
The borough of Oadby and Wigston is home to:
- Leicester Racecourse
- Leicester Botanic Gardens
- 2 Swimming Pools
- Parklands Leisure Centre
- Numerous Parks and Open spaces including Brocks Hill County Park
And just beyond the Borough:
- King Richard III Historical Visitor Centre
- Curve Theatre
- 3 Cinemas
- Highcross & Fosse Park Shopping Centre
- Bradgate Park
- 2 leading universities – Leicester University and Leicester DeMontfort University
- The National Space Centre
- Leicester Premier League Football Club and Leicester Tigers Rugby Club
- Foxton Locks
Working for us
3 Strategic Development Areas at Stoughton Grange, Cottage Farm and South East Wigston
Town Centre Regeneration in Oadby, Wigston and South Wigston
Delivery of Wigston Employment Park
Implementation of Local Development Orders
Partnership work with Homes England to deliver new Homes
Investment in the Council’s own landholding to deliver new Homes and Community Facilities
Ed Morgan
Senior Planning Policy Officer
Starting off as a Planning Policy Officer for Oadby and Wigston Borough Council (OWBC), I have always worked as part of team that has been innovative. Teams are valued within the organisation, where hard work is recognised and rewarded. Through living and working in Leicestershire, I gain a sense of accountability and integrity from my role, knowing that the work I do makes a tangible and positive difference to people’s lives within this Borough.
Working within the Council’s Planning, Development and Regeneration section, I get involved in a wide and challenging variety of projects that require effective engagement with other departments across the organisation; cross-boundary initiatives through our duty to co-operate with our neighbouring local authorities; as well as, collaboration with external organisations in both the public and private sectors. By working in this role, I am entrusted and supported to be actively involved in strategic planning matters that play their part of defining the Borough, as well as Leicester and Leicestershire up to 2050 and beyond.
As an OWBC employee, it is apparent that the Senior Leadership Team here recognises the value that my role brings to the organisation and I am continually encouraged to be entrepreneurial and accountable for my career progression, particularly through the promotion of personal development opportunities that are widely available across the organisation.
It is also apparent that the Council recognises the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance through encouraging various staff benefits that make working here even more attractive and enjoyable.
Finally, although we are a relatively small organisation, we are an effective one. Everyone working here plays an important role and is made to feel as though they are valued for doing so. This is a very important motivating factor for me and one of the key reasons why I have continued to enjoy working for this close-knit community to date.
Alex Matthews
Development Control Officer
I joined Oadby and Wigston Borough Council as a Planning Officer in July 2015 having previously worked at the London Borough of Newham for approximately a year. Oadby and Wigston Borough Council have facilitated study day release allowing me to complete a part time Urban Planning Masters degree which I am very grateful for. This has enabled me to become a Licentiate member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and work towards becoming a full Chartered member.
My role as a Development Control Officer includes providing an effective service provision in helping to facilitate various forms of development to improve the local and wider community. Consultation and engagement with the local community forms a valuable part of my role and also aligns with the corporate priority of delivering an inclusive and engaged borough. The Local Authority aim to go above and beyond to deliver wellbeing for all which is very much encouraged throughout. Further to being a Development Control Officer I am part of the Staff Wellbeing Group. The Local Authority very much encourages employs to engage with various opportunities available beyond their day to day role.
I would consider Oadby and Wigston Borough Council to be a good place to work for someone wishing to begin developing professionally as a Development Control Officer.
Benefits
Benefits of working for Oadby and Wigston Borough Council
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on building a creative, innovative and forward thinking approach that is led by our staff. We are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it. In return we offer some great benefits working for us:
Flexible working opportunities
to enable staff to balance their home and work life e.g. part-time working, condensed hours and home working.
Flexible Working Scheme
which allows staff to work flexible hours and build up additional hours to take as leave (currently 4 days flexi time per 12 week period).
Car Loan Scheme
subject to meeting scheme criteria.
Local Government Pension Scheme Defined Benefit Scheme – Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE)
generous employer contribution
Relocation Scheme
for certain level roles.
Payment of Professional Fees
payment of membership fees for professional bodies ie: chartered institutes
Learning and Development Opportunities
are provided to support staff development.
Free Car Parking
is available at the office or within the town centre for all employees.
Staff Recognition Schemes
we run the ARTIC awards scheme on a quarterly basis. This is based on our values and behaviours and is available for individuals and teams.
Health and Wellbeing Programme
that is supported by staff champions.
Staff Discounts
which staff can take advantage of including gym membership and through a number of local businesses.
Employee Assistance Programme
providing advice, assistance, staff discounts and access to free counselling services.
Opportunity
Senior Planning Officer
South Leicestershire
RTPI accredited
Your new company
Located a short distance South of Leicester, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council covers a diverse range of geography including urban and industrial dwellings as well as beautiful countryside. Oadby and Wigston is a borough that is continuing to thrive and develop, by developing our communities and economy, enabling and shaping growth and delivering services to our customers to the highest standard. Our forward-thinking council has clear goals and plans. Our three new corporate objectives serve our residents, communities, businesses and partners to the highest standards, improving our borough as a place to live, work and visit.
Your new role
As a Senior Planning Officer you will be working in a small, but growing, progressive and supportive environment. Reporting directly to the Development Control Manager, you will be responsible for delivering a wide variety of planning solutions including initial pre application enquiries, planning applications, appeal submissions and working closely alongside our planning policy and economic regeneration teams to delivery some exciting initiatives in the Council’s brand new Local Plan.
Your work will include working across multiple sectors and on multiple projects at any one time. Site visits, public, contractor and stakeholder liaison will all be large parts of the role. You will also be representing the Council on specialist bodies and at Committee meetings.
What you'll need to succeed
As a Senior Planning Officer you will have good all-round general planning knowledge, gained in either the private or public sectors, as you will be expected to work in many areas and sectors so multi-sector experience would be a big advantage. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are also important as is the ability to work to tight deadlines. You must possess an accredited planning degree and be a full member of the RTPI for which the Council will pay your subscription. Occasionally you may have to work hours outside of the normal day. Most of all you will be committed to delivering a top class professional service.
What you'll get in return
You will receive a salary that reflects your experience, excellent local Government pension scheme, generous holiday entitlement, free gym membership, free staff parking, flexible hours, childcare vouchers, car loan scheme, cycle to work and relocation package, if required.
How to apply
We want to make the process of applying for this role as straightforward as possible. Initially we would like you to submit an up to date copy of your CV by clicking on the apply button below.
If you are successful and requested to attend for interview we will then ask you for further details including the reasons why you believe you are the best candidate for the role.
For an informal conversation about Oadby and Wigston Borough Council and their exciting opportunities please contact our retained Recruitment Consultant: Tom Ulanowsk at Hays on 0115 959 8786 or email tom.ulanowsky@hays.com
Important documents
Senior Planning Officer (Development Control Officer) Person specification (204 KB)
Senior Planning Officer (Development Control Officer) Job description (204 KB)
Location
Oadby & Wigston Borough Council OfficesStation Road
Wigston
LE18 2DR
