Planning Enforcement Compliance & Technical Support Officer

Bath & North East Somerset Council; Clays End; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Bath and North East Somerset Council is seeking a Planning and Enforcement Compliance and Technical Support Officer to support the Planning Enforcement Team in applying planning permissions and policy. The role involves handling enquiries, site visits, and initial case assessments within a busy local planning authority.

This is a frontline, customer-focused role requiring strong communication skills and a proactive approach to resolving enforcement issues while developing knowledge of planning

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Town and Country Planning recognized by RTPI or eligible for membership.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for frontline role.

Responsibilities

• Assist with managing enforcement cases and enquiries.
• Conduct site visits and inspections as needed.
• Provide initial assessments of new enforcement cases.
• Support the team in applying planning policy and relevant legislation.

Skills

Communication skills

Education

Town and Country Planning degree/diploma

Job description

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose - to improve people's lives.

About the Team

Bath and North East Somerset is a large and diverse area containing not only the internationally renowned City of Bath which is a World Heritage Site, but also an extensive area of Green Belt, two National Landscapes, numerous Conservation Areas and an abundance of listed buildings and other heritage assets. All this makes the District a hugely attractive place to work, live and visit.

About the Role

An opportunity has arisen to join our Planning and Enforcement Team as a Planning and Enforcement Compliance and Technical Support Officer. We are a busy department and the Planning Enforcement Team plays an important and integral part in ensuring that development is carried out in accordance with planning permissions granted and in line with local and national planning policy and legislation.

About You

We are ideally looking to appoint a someone with a Degree or Diploma in Town and Country Planning (or similar equivalent) recognised by and giving full eligibility for membership of the RTPI to help manage development in a District that has exciting levels of growth planned within a unique built and natural environment. However candidates with other relevant skills and experience will also be considered.

The enforcement of planning control can be complex and can sometimes be confrontational. The Planning & Enforcement Compliance and Technical Support Officer is expected to have the right attitude and approach to support the work of the wider team and to help resolve enforcement issues, drawing on and developing their knowledge of the planning system to offer professional planning advice so that all parties feel that they have been treated in a fair and reasonable way. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an solid understanding of planning legislation and policy and knowledge of the legal framework underpinning planning. They must have strong communication and interpersonal skills for this customer focused and frontline role in the assessment of new enforcement complaints and cases. This may include carrying out site visits and inspections, managing incoming enquiries by phone and email, and making initial assessments of new cases. At Bath & North East Somerset Council, the Planning Enforcement Team are embedded in the planning department and fulfil a dual role dealing with both planning enforcement cases and assessing and determining a wide variety of retrospective planning, advertisement, listed building, prior approval and other application types through the district. This role will support that work and is ideal for someone looking for a first step into public sector planning. If you are looking for your next challenge, this is an opportunity for you to gain more experience across a wide range of planning issues in a busy local planning authority, and the diversity of work means that there are opportunities to develop a broad range of planning skills and experience.

The post presents an opportunity to work with like-minded people based in one of the most attractive areas in the country and would suit an appropriately qualified individual who is confident and self-motivated and enjoy the demands of a busy local authority planning office. For the right person we offer a competitive salary, flexible working conditions and a benefits package aimed to boost and maintain health, wellbeing and general quality of life of all our staff. We also offer comprehensive personal and professional training and development opportunities.

Whilst the Council is seeking candidates with planning/planning enforcement experience, applications from those with other experience are also encouraged. The Technical Officer 1 Role Profiles attached to this advert also covers many equivalent roles – please note the Role Specific Criteria that apply to this specific post.

If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what's involved, please contact Neil Howat, Team Manager- Planning & Enforcement, [e-mail] or call [phone].

Interview date: 25/10/2026

About Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

Why Bath and North East Somerset Council?

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-benefits

At Bath and North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose - to improve peoples lives. Find out more about our values at https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-values

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity

We are a Disability Confident Employer - find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW

The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.