About the role

Head of Planning and Housing

Salary: TBC

Are you ready to lead transformative change in housing and planning across the County Durham? We are seeking an exceptional leader to join our senior team as Head of Planning and Housing, driving forward strategic initiatives that shape inclusive growth, sustainable development, and high-quality housing services.

Reporting to the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth, you will lead a high-performing team responsible for the development and delivery of the council’s housing strategy, planning functions, and housing services. Your leadership will be instrumental in ensuring our communities benefit from well-planned development, accessible housing, and innovative service delivery.

In this pivotal role, you will oversee the implementation and evolution of the council’s Housing Strategy, lead the Council House building programme, and ensure the delivery of a responsive and high-quality housing management service. You will champion services that support vulnerable and homeless individuals, and drive improvements in the private housing sector, including the successful operation of our selective licensing scheme.

You will play a key role in identifying and responding to current and future housing needs, coordinating affordable housing delivery in partnership with Homes England, Registered Providers, and through planning agreements. Supporting community-led housing projects and securing government grants to enhance housing delivery will be central to your remit.

On the planning side, you will maximise performance across development planning functions, including planning applications and building control. You will lead the creation and implementation of planning policies and statutory plans such as the County Durham Plan, Local Transport Plan, and Economic Assessment. Your strategic vision will guide the development of local masterplans and ensure compliance with building regulations.

Additionally, you will oversee the Council’s Care Connect service, including telecare and out-of-hours access in partnership with the NHS, and manage strategic CCTV monitoring in collaboration with community safety and the Police.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of housing and planning in the county, working collaboratively across the Regeneration, Economy and Growth Directorate to deliver cross-cutting priorities that make a real difference.

If you are a dynamic, forward-thinking leader with a passion for place-making and inclusive growth, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now to lead the way in building better communities.

If you have the energy, enthusiasm and skills to make a real impact and deliver the best possible outcomes, then we would like to hear from you. For a confidential discussion about this exciting role, please contact our consultants at Penna: Nick Raper on 07715 690 463 or Kelly Ridley on 07709 512415.

Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 29^th September 2025.

Head of Planning and Housing Role Profile

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