Lead Planning Enforcement Officer

North Northamptonshire Council; Kettering; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in Kettering seeks a Lead Planning Enforcement Officer to manage the Planning Enforcement Team. This role focuses on investigating planning control breaches, ensuring compliance, and utilizing professional knowledge to support colleagues. The ideal candidate will hold a relevant degree or equivalent experience and possess in-depth knowledge of English Planning System and legislation. This position offers a competitive salary, generous leave entitlement, and opportunities for professional development, along with hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension scheme with significant contributions

Opportunities for professional development

Generous leave entitlement

Hybrid and flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Hold a relevant degree or undergo training for chartered membership.
• Demonstrated knowledge of investigation and enforcement tools.
• Extensive experience with current planning legislation.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Planning Enforcement Team and oversee breaches.
• Investigate planning control breaches and monitor compliance.
• Direct colleagues on enforcement matters and processes.

Skills

Knowledge of inspection procedures

Experience in investigation procedures

Understanding of English Planning System

Knowledge of PACE & RIPA legislation

Legal proceedings experience

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

North Northamptonshire Council is a product of local government reorganisation which took place across Northamptonshire in 2021. We have brought together the four former district and borough and county Local Planning Authority planning functions and working through a transformation programme to create a single high-performing planning service for North Northamptonshire. North Northamptonshire is a high-growth area offering an exciting opportunity for professional development. We are working on preparing a new Local Plan to provide a spatial vision for the whole area. We are delivering sustainable urban extensions in differing phases of development, a wealth of large commercial and industrial development proposals and everything in between. This role with lead the Council's planning enforcement function which is crucial to ensuring that quality development we have planned for and consented is realised in a way that safeguards confidence in the planning process, and best protects the wider public interest. Please note: Interviews are anticipated to take place on 21st / 22nd January 2026 and you will be at the forefront of supporting initiatives be part of our continuing transformation and improvement journey, influencing the evolution of our service.

Working as a Lead Planning Enforcement Officer you will be at the forefront of supporting initiatives, be part of our continuing transformation and improvement journey, influencing the evolution of our service. Your principal responsibilities will be focused on the management of the Planning Enforcement Team with the tasks of investigating breaches of planning control and monitoring compliance with planning permissions, including planning conditions and legal agreements. Utilizing your professional knowledge and experience, you will direct and support colleagues with all matters relating to alleged breaches of planning control using the full range of available enforcement tools available.

We provide a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, as well as supporting a range of active Employee Network Groups.

About us

Our values define who we are and how we operate, by forming the foundation for how we interact with our customers, colleagues and provide our services. They are also at the forefront of our decision making and delivery and are: Customer‑focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive, Trustworthy. Our key commitments help ensure that the priorities we make, now and in the future, maintain the necessary breadth of focus in those areas that we believe matter most.

You will hold a relevant degree and qualifications or have the appropriate experience that would allow you to be eligible for chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent). You will be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience of inspection and investigation procedures; knowledge and experience of PACE & RIPA legislation; and knowledge and experience of legal proceedings within the English legal system. You will have an in-depth understanding and extensive experience of the English Planning System, current planning legislation and practice, with a focus on the enforcement of breaches of planning control.

Here at North Northamptonshire Council, we’re transforming for the better, using all our creativity and imagination to create the best life for our local people. You’ll find that we have a wide range of careers that may be more surprising than you think! Why choose us? We offer a vibrant working environment with:

• a competitive salary
• a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill‑health protection.
• lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
• generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
• hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work‑life balance.