Planning Enforcement Officer

North Somerset Council; Weston-super-Mare; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible work

Local Government Pension

Professional development

Cycle to Work / EV schemes

Job summary

North Somerset Council is seeking a Planning Enforcement Officer (Grade 5 or 6) to join the Delivery and Enforcement Team in Weston-super-Mare. The role supports monitoring and action against unauthorised parking and provides field and office work across hybrid locations.

The post requires planning enforcement experience, driving license, and strong communication. It is a fixed-term, 37-hour week basis with a 1-year contract and a competitive package.

Qualifications

• Vocational qualification or evidence of working to academic level 3 or 4 relevant to planning practice.
• Experience in planning enforcement or related environment.
• Strong understanding of planning policy, legislation, processes and practices.
• Full valid driving license.

Responsibilities

• Investigate breaches of planning control and monitor unauthorised development.
• Assist in delivering actions in the Parking Action Plan around Bristol Airport.
• Prepare enforcement cases and related statements for appeal/court proceedings.
• Maintain relationships with applicants, landowners, agents, councils, staff and the public.
• Communicate effectively through case notes and written records.

Skills

Driving licence

Enforcement experience

Planning policy knowledge

Confrontation management

Communication skills

Planning qualification

Education

Undergraduate degree in Town and Country Planning

Planning-related qualification (level 3/4)

Tools

GIS mapping systems

Data management tools

Job description

Welcome to North Somerset Council’s Web Recruitment page where you will find details of our current vacancies.
If you experience any issues completing your application, or require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please call the Human Resources Team on 01275 888788 or email [e-mail] .
To advertise on this page, please contact Human Resources.

Salary Career Graded Level 5:- £28,598 - £31,022 to Level 6:- £32,061 - £34,434 per annum

Basis Full time

Job profile for Planning Enforcement Officer

Planning Enforcement Officer

Weston-super-Mare 20/09/2026

Job details

Salary Career Graded Level 5:- £28,598 - £31,022 to Level 6:- £32,061 - £34,434 per annum Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Package Fixed term 1 year - 25 days annual leave per annum, rising to 30 days per annum after 5 years' service - Flexible Worker Job category/type Planning Date posted 24/08/2026 Job reference HSCC0077

Attachments 20260824 - Job Description - NSC Planning Career Grade - HSCC0077.pdf

Job description

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a Planning Enforcement Officer (Grade 5 or 6 – depending on skills and experience) to join our Delivery and Enforcement Team.

We are a well-staffed and high performing team that are responsible for investigating, monitoring and where appropriate taking action against alleged breaches of planning controls. The main responsibility of the fixed term post will be to support existing enforcement officers in monitoring and taking action against unauthorised airport parking. You will spend much of your time out and about driving between sites but will also work from home or the office to assess and collate evidence.

The position requires either experience of enforcement of legislation or working knowledge of Town and Country planning law preferably with some experience relevant to the role. Good communication skills and a strong attention to detail are important.

While this position is based in the Town Hall, Weston-Super-Mare we operate a hybrid working environment. Most of the team predominantly work from home however we encourage staff to come into the office as much as possible.

This is a fixed term role for one year.

North Somerset is a constrained area in planning terms with Green Belt, National Landscapes, extensive areas vulnerable to flooding and other sensitive environments. Our challenges are wide ranging and as a result the role provides a great opportunity to develop your experience and skills

A full valid driving licence is an essential condition for this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Tasks relating to the investigation of alleged breaches of planning control, primarily in relation to unauthorised airport car parking, to include site inspections and monitoring of unauthorised development.
• Assist in the delivery of the relevant actions set out in the Parking Action Plan covering areas surrounding Bristol Airport.
• Assist in the preparation of cases for enforcement or other legal action within appropriate timescales including statements in relation to appeal and court proceedings.
• Manage effective relationships with applicants, landowners, agents, town and parish councils, council employees and the public.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues and customers both verbally and in writing through the appropriate use of case or site notes and other records
• See the attached career grade structure for further information.

About You

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who is ready for an exciting challenge and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Vocational qualification or evidence of working to academic level 3 or 4 relevant to planning practice
• Practical experience of working within a planning / enforcement or related environment.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of planning policy, legislation, processes and practices.
• Demonstrate the ability to diffuse and manage confrontational situations.
• Full valid driving license.

Desirable Criteria:

• Undergraduate Degree in Town and Country Planning or equivalent
• Experience of digital tools such as data management and GIS mapping systems.
• Eligibility for membership of RTPI
• Customer service experience

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our benefits booklet.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Chris Nolan, Delivery and Enforcment Service Manager at [e-mail]

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: Monday 28 September 2026.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.