Planning Officer - Enforcement

Wealden District Council; Hailsham; Hybride; GBP 32 000 - 42 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Hybrid working

Development opportunities

Disability confident employer

Résumé du poste

Wealden District Council is seeking an experienced planning enforcement professional to ensure development is compliant while protecting communities and the environment from unauthorised works. You will investigate breaches, prepare enforcement reports, and drive outcomes with robust but proportionate action.

You will advise, negotiate with contraveners, support junior officers, and liaise with residents, officers, elected members and external bodies.

Qualifications

• Experience in planning and the application of expert knowledge within a enforcement and development management context.
• Customer service skills, being 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 clearly and professionally to achieve robust outcomes.
• Experience of defending actions taken by the Council at appeal or via legal proceedings.

Responsabilités

• Investigating breaches of planning control in urban and rural settings.
• Preparing reports to recommend enforcement proceedings and presenting to planning committee.
• Providing advice and negotiating with contraveners to achieve best outcomes and 5-star customer service.
• Liaising with residents, officers from other sections, elected members and external bodies on progress and outcomes.
• Providing informal support and mentoring for junior officers.

Connaissances

Planning enforcement experience

Customer service skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Legal/appeals experience

Description du poste

Please note this vacancy may close early due to high volumes of applications.

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 are we 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.

What will the role involve?

• 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 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 ensuring they are appropriately updated on the progress and outcome of investigation.
• Providing informal support and mentoring for junior officers.

What skills, knowledge and abilities do you require for the role?

• Experience in planning and the application of expert knowledge within a enforcement and development management context.
• Customer service skills, being 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, being 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.

What do we offer?

• Competitive salary & pension scheme.
• Incremental progression subject to satisfactory performance.
• A friendly, supportive team.
• Opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Hybrid working.

Wealden District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are committed to maintaining a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment. We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities, and all applications will be treated on merit.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. At Wealden District Council, we are committed to fair, accessible recruitment and supporting colleagues with the adjustments they need to thrive. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview. Join a workplace that values inclusion, wellbeing and equal opportunity.

Ethical Use of AI in Applications

We welcome innovation and do not automatically exclude candidates who use AI tools during the application process. However, we assess each application to ensure the candidate genuinely understands the role and its requirements.

AI may be used ethically and responsibly, provided it supports, rather than compromises our core values of integrity, transparency, and fairness. During assessments and interviews, candidates must present their own skills and experience without assistance from others, external resources, or AI, unless explicitly instructed otherwise.