Planning Enforcement Officer

North Devon District Council; Barnstaple; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident employer scheme

Job summary

North Devon District Council is recruiting a Planning Enforcement Officer to investigate and resolve planning enforcement inquiries across the district. The role requires thorough assessments, desk research and site inspections to determine breaches and suitable outcomes.

The hybrid role in Barnstaple offers a permanent contract, with 2 days remote work and a salary range of £35,570 to £42,123 per year. Full-time hours and local council benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Educated to A level standard.
• Knowledge of enforcement rules and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Plan, organise and work with limited supervision.
• Make decisions and recommendations within a DM framework.

Responsibilities

• Investigate planning enforcement queries through desk research and site inspections.
• Record investigations and make recommendations on action or negotiation.
• Collaborate with partners to improve enforcement practices.
• Communicate professionally with councillors, agents, applicants and the public.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Political awareness

Professional conduct

Plan & organise

Education

A level standard

Job description

To effectively investigation and resolve a wide range of planning, advertisement, listing building and tree enforcement enquires and complaints to aid the delivery of the Planning Enforcement service and to ensure the service provided by the Council in accordance with statutory, national and local requirements.

To undertake through assessments to establish if a breach of planning control or an offence has occurred, through desk – based research and site inspections. To record such investigations and finding and make recommendations to take or not to take action or negotiate outcomes to resolve a breach or mitigate any planning harm identified, in discussion with the Senior Enforcement Planning Officer and other Senior Officers within the Council.

To assist and develop collaborative working with partners to improve working practices around enforcement and resolution of issues in this area of work.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Planning Enforcement Officer

Company: North Devon District Council Salary: £35,570 to £42,123 a year Hours: Full-time Location: Barnstaple, EX31 3NP Working pattern: Hybrid - 2 days remote Job type: Permanent Posting date: 21 Oct 2026 Closing date: 6 Nov 2026

Summary

To effectively investigation and resolve a wide range of planning, advertisement, listing building and tree enforcement enquires and complaints to aid the delivery of the Planning Enforcement service and to ensure the service provided by the Council in accordance with statutory, national and local requirements.

To undertake through assessments to establish if a breach of planning control or an offence has occurred, through desk – based research and site inspections. To record such investigations and finding and make recommendations to take or not to take action or negotiate outcomes to resolve a breach or mitigate any planning harm identified, in discussion with the Senior Enforcement Planning Officer and other Senior Officers within the Council.

To assist and develop collaborative working with partners to improve working practices around enforcement and resolution of issues in this area of work.

Essential requirements

• Educated to A level standard
• The postholder requires a wide knowledge of the rules and regulations required to enforce, or ability to obtain it
• The postholder requires tact, negotiating skills and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels. The ability to report accurately and clearly are particular requirements of the post
• The postholder is called upon to deal with a wide range of potentially difficult situations and to act objectively and professionally often under pressure
• Ability to work with limited supervision on a daily basis
• Ability to plan and organise work without supervision on a daily basis
• Ability to effectively negotiate with councillors, agents, applicants and the public on a daily basis
• To continually update knowledge and experience as legislation and planning policy changes frequently
• Competency working in a political environment
• Knowledge, expertise and confidence to make decisions/put forward recommendations in a way that maximises our productivity and builds the reputation of the service
• Evidence of effective negotiation skills, clear communicator, understanding good development within DM framework

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.