Planning Officer, Enforcement

Wealden District Council; Hailsham; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Hailsham seeks an experienced planner to join the Planning Enforcement Team. The role involves investigating breaches of planning control and ensuring community welfare through compliance. The ideal candidate will have strong negotiation skills, experience in planning law, and a passion for defending community interests. Attractive benefits include hybrid working and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salary & pension scheme

Supportive team environment

Opportunities for professional development

Hybrid working

Qualifications

• Experience in planning and enforcement context.
• Adept at speaking with conflicting demands.
• Knowledge of planning law, policy, and guidance.
• Able to present breaches professionally.
• Experience in defending actions at appeal.

Responsibilities

• Investigate breaches of planning control.
• Prepare reports for enforcement recommendations.
• Provide advice and conduct negotiations.
• Liaise with stakeholders regarding investigations.

Skills

Experience in planning

Customer service skills

Knowledge of relevant law

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Job description

Are you an experienced planner that wants to ensure that development is carried out in a compliant manner as well as protecting our environment and communities from unauthorised works? Then this role is for you!

Who we are looking for?

The Planning Enforcement Team is dedicated to ensuring our communities have a good quality of life and that our built and natural environments are protected by taking robust but proportionate action in relation to breaches of planning control. This role would consider a variety of breaches of planning in the district, so we're looking for someone who has experience in investigating such matters and is able to conclude them effectively and efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Investigating breaches of planning control in a variety of urban and rural settings.
• Preparing reports to make recommendations on appropriate enforcement proceedings, presenting those schemes to the planning committee where required.
• Providing advice and conducting negotiations with contraveners to achieve the best possible outcomes and deliver 5-star customer service.
• Liaising with various stakeholders, including residents, officers from other service sections, elected members, and external bodies to ensure they are appropriately updated on the progress and outcome of the investigation.

Qualifications and Skills

• Experience in planning and the application of expert knowledge within an enforcement and development management context.
• Customer service skills, particularly adept at speaking with those who have conflicting demands and priorities.
• Knowledge of relevant law, policy and guidance related to planning and related matters.
• Communication and negotiation skills, able to discuss breaches in a clear, constructive, and professional manner to achieve robust and proportionate outcomes.
• Experience of defending actions taken by the Council at appeal or via legal proceedings.

Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.

Benefits

• Competitive salary & pension scheme.
• A friendly, supportive team.
• Opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Hybrid working.