Planning Services Manager - West Lancashire Borough Council

Salary £61,320 - £65,946 per annum | Location: Ormskirk / Hybrid

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in learning more about West Lancashire Borough Council and this exciting new opportunity for a Planning Services Manager.

Planning is one of the most visible and influential services within any local authority, and here in West Lancashire it plays a fundamental role in shaping our places, supporting growth and responding to the needs of our communities. I am proud to work within a council that understands the importance of strong planning leadership, and this role sits at the very heart of that ambition.

Over the last few years, our Planning Service has been on a significant journey. Through determined leadership and investment in our people, we are proud to have a fully resourced, stable and high‑performing service, supported by a committed and professional team who care deeply about delivering the right outcomes.

I am looking for a talented leader who can build on that progress. The Planning Services Manager will lead a well‑established service through its next phase, ensuring that we remain resilient, ambitious and outward‑looking. The role is broad and demanding, encompassing development management, enforcement, Local Plan delivery, strategic planning and leadership at Planning Committee. This is a senior leadership role that requires judgement, political awareness and the ability to operate confidently in a complex and highly scrutinised environment

We are at an important point in our journey. We are progressing towards a new Local Plan in a fast‑changing national policy landscape, strengthening our cross‑boundary and regional working, including with Merseyside and Greater Manchester, and preparing for future Local Government Reorganisation. These changes present a real opportunity to help shape future services, influence long‑term direction and build a legacy for the future.

I am looking for an experienced and credible leader who understands the importance of people and who truly values collaboration, somebody who can inspire others through their ability to lead through a complex and changing landscape, supporting their team to ensure success. We know there will be challenges ahead – but for the right person the rewards will be significant.

If you are excited by the opportunity to lead a strong planning service at a pivotal moment, and to help shape the next chapter for West Lancashire, I would encourage you to explore this role further. Following an initial conversation with the Resourcing Solution team, I would also be very happy to arrange an informal conversation to discuss our ambitions and future plans.

Thank you for your interest in joining West Lancashire.

Paul Charlson
Assistant Director of Planning and Regulatory Services

About the role

Shape the Future of West Lancashire

West Lancashire Borough Council (“the Council”) is seeking an experienced and driven Planning Services Manager to lead our Planning Service during an exciting period of transformation. This is a pivotal leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape how places across the Borough evolve—supporting sustainable growth, safeguarding local character, and delivering high‑quality outcomes for residents and businesses alike.

As a senior leader within the Planning, Economy & Wellbeing Directorate, you will:

  • Lead and manage performance across Development Management, Strategic Planning, Planning Enforcement, Conservation and Heritage, and GIS.
  • Provide strong, visible leadership to a skilled and committed team, promoting collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
  • Work constructively with elected members, colleagues, partners and communities to deliver a responsive, transparent and professional Planning Service.
  • Champion high‑quality placemaking, ensuring development aligns with the Council’s ambitions for thriving places and sustainable communities.

About West Lancashire Borough Council

West Lancashire Borough Council (“the Council”) serves around 122,000 residents across a diverse Borough that blends vibrant town centres with extensive rural communities.

We are a forward‑looking, ambitious Council operating at the heart of the North West, with strong connections to Merseyside and Greater Manchester. Our work directly shapes the places people live, work, and thrive in every day.

At the Council, every role contributes to improving quality of life for local residents. Whether someone works in housing, planning, finance, environmental services, leisure, governance, or corporate services, their impact is visible, meaningful, and close to the community.

The Council’s stated priorities focus on:

  • Creating a clean and environmentally sustainable Borough
  • Supporting inclusive and healthy communities
  • Enhancing the built environment
  • Driving economic growth and regeneration
  • Maintaining a financially resilient and well‑governed organisation

The Council delivers a broad and diverse portfolio of services, including:

  • Housing services (landlord services, homelessness, housing strategy)
  • Planning, regeneration, and building control
  • Refuse and recycling services
  • Environmental health and regulatory services
  • Leisure, wellbeing, and parks services
  • Customer services, benefits, and revenues
  • Corporate services (HR, finance, legal, democratic services, ICT)

About West Lancashire

Living and working in West Lancashire

West Lancashire is located in the heart of the North West, and the region combines easy access to areas including Liverpool, Preston, Southport, and Manchester - with the benefits of space, calm, and countryside living. Well connected by road and rail, commuting is straightforward while avoiding the congestion and living costs associated with larger cities.

The area includes popular market towns and villages such as Ormskirk, Burscough, Aughton, Croston, and Tarleton, each offering a strong sense of community, local amenities, and access to green spaces. All this means that you can enjoy a work–life balance, with opportunities for walking, cycling, and outdoor activities, alongside independent shops, cafes, and traditional pubs. The coast and countryside are equally accessible and make the area a very appealing place to live for families and professionals alike. The area is renowned for its good schools, lower crime rates, and affordable housing, offering more space for your budget than some of the more expensive neighbouring urban areas, and housing ranges from modern developments to characterful village homes, supporting both renters and buyers at different life stages.

Visit the Visit Lancashire (external link) website for more tourist information including restaurant recommendations, places to stay and attractions to visit.

Contact us and Apply

If you are interested in this fantastic opportunity or would like to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Katherine Brioude Katherine.Brioude@northyorks.gov.uk

Key dates:
Closing date: 19 May 2026
Shortlisting date: 22 May 2026
Interview date: 9 – 11 June 2026

Apply:

To apply please provide us with your CV including a supporting statement in one Microsoft Word document. Your supporting statement should outline your motivation for applying and how you meet the criteria for the role. Please also complete and email the following questionnaire to accompany your application.

Applications should be emailed to Executive.ResourcingSolutions@northyorks.gov.uk. Please do not send PDFs.

It is important that your CV includes: your full contact details (telephone, email, address), full employment history (name of employer, job titles, dates of employment and salary), full education history (qualification, grade, dates and place of study), explanation of any gaps in employment and the contact details of at least two referees including your current / most recent employer indicating whether you consent to us contacting each referee prior to interview. Please also provide details of your current salary and notice period.

We will not accept applications from agencies.


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