Principal Planning Enforcement Officer

WMJobs; Nuneaton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid working from home and office

Learning and development opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous holiday allowance

Childcare vouchers

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council is seeking a Principal Planning Enforcement Officer to lead the Planning Enforcement team in a largely urban area with countryside and Green Belt. You will investigate breaches, provide guidance, and ensure an efficient service under the Planning Manager.

The role requires substantial enforcement experience, knowledge of Planning legislation and PACE, and RTPI membership or eligibility, with a focus on negotiation and problem-solving in a supportive team

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in a Planning Enforcement role.
• Knowledge of Planning legislation and PACE.
• Experience reading plans and using computer packages.
• Ability to manage a team and meet deadlines.
• Member of RTPI or eligible for membership.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise the Planning Enforcement team.
• Investigate complaints, site inspections and interviews.
• Advise offenders and complainants on procedures and progress.
• Allocate tasks, manage workload and monitor performance.
• Support training needs and provide ongoing guidance.

Skills

Negotiation

Conflict resolution

Problem solving

Communication

Team supervision

Planning enforcement experience

RTPI membership or eligible

Education

UK degree or diploma in Town Planning

RTPI membership or eligible

Job description

Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council,

Are you passionate about making a positive and lasting difference to the places where people live? Want to ensure that everyone plays by the same rules and hold developers to account? If so, join our Planning Team and make a real difference.

This is an exciting opportunity to work as a Principal Planning Enforcement Officer within a dynamic and enthusiastic team. Together we are responsible for managing the use and development of land and buildings across a largely urban area surrounded by countryside and Green Belt. A central part of this is ensuring that planning rules are enforced and this is where you come in.

You will manage and supervise the Planning Enforcement team to ensure the provision of an efficient and effective Planning Enforcement Service under the general direction of the Planning Manager – Development Control. You will investigate complaints and alleged breaches of planning control, including site inspections, visits, undertaking observation and conducting interviews. You will also give advice to alleged offenders and complainants on planning and enforcement procedure, including progress on complaints in line with policies and protocols.

The role involves the day to day management of the Planning Enforcement team including allocation of tasks, managing workload, performance management and general advice and support.

You will be supported by the Planning Manager together with regular 1-to-1 meetings, full support in a friendly team and an appraisal of formal training needs.

We are looking for someone who is positive and enthusiastic with excellent skills in negotiation, conflict resolution, problem solving and communication. You will be able to deal with emotive situations and have a creative and solution focused approach to resolving issues.

Applicants should have experience in dealing with the public in Local Government or other public organisation, substantial experience in a Planning Enforcement role, have a substantial level of knowledge of Planning legislation and PACE, have experience of using computer packages, ability to read plans, ability to work to deadlines, a good standard of presentational skills, experience of supervising team members and able to organise their own work and manage time effectively. You must have a recognised UK degree or diploma in Town Planning or a related discipline and be a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute or qualifications and experience which would enable membership of the RTPI.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council is a small Council with big values. We are committed to ensuring our services are delivered to the highest possible standard and we put the customer at the forefront of everything we do. By working for us you will become part of the team and will play your part in serving our community.

As an employer, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council offers a wide range of benefits, including:

• Flexible working
• Hybrid working from home and the office
• Learning and development opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous holiday allowance
• Childcare vouchers
• Independent support for your health and wellbeing

This post is covered by the Fluency Duty, as outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers.