Senior Enforcement Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking a Senior Planning Enforcement Officer for a 4-5 month contract in Bridgwater, Somerset. The role involves enforcing planning laws, investigating breaches, and managing a complex caseload at a rate of £48.48 per hour through an umbrella company.

The ideal candidate will have proven planning enforcement experience, site visit capabilities, and the ability to prepare enforcement documents and present findings to planning committees.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in planning enforcement or related planning field.
• Experience in site visits, investigations and compliance inspections.
• Experience preparing and serving enforcement notices and related legal documents.
• Experience presenting to planning committees or appeals.

Responsibilities

• Investigate complaints regarding planning control breaches and unauthorized developments.
• Prioritize, coordinate, and manage a diverse and complex caseload of planning enforcement issues.
• Conduct site visits and investigations to verify compliance with planning permissions and legislation.
• Monitor development sites to ensure adherence to planning conditions and approved plans.
• Collect, evaluate, and analyze evidence to support enforcement investigations and actions.
• Negotiate resolutions to planning breaches when feasible and initiate formal enforcement actions as necessary.
• Prepare and issue enforcement notices, breach of condition notices, stop notices, and other statutory enforcement documents.

Skills

Planning enforcement

Investigations

Site visits

Report writing

Presentation to committees

Education

Degree in Town Planning/Urban Planning/Planning Law

RTPI membership

Ongoing professional development

Job description

Bridgwater, United Kingdom | Posted on 14/09/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

4-5 months contract with a local authority

Summary

• The Senior Planning Enforcement Officer is integral to maintaining adherence to planning laws and addressing any violations within Somerset. This role involves investigating intricate enforcement cases, prioritizing and managing enforcement activities, and taking necessary actions to rectify unauthorized developments. The position is a 4-5 month contract with a local authority, offering a rate of £48.48 per hour through an umbrella company.

Responsibilities

• Investigate complaints regarding planning control breaches and unauthorized developments.
• Prioritize, coordinate, and manage a diverse and complex caseload of planning enforcement issues.
• Conduct site visits and investigations to verify compliance with planning permissions and legislation.
• Monitor development sites to ensure adherence to planning conditions and approved plans.
• Collect, evaluate, and analyze evidence to support enforcement investigations and actions.
• Negotiate resolutions to planning breaches when feasible and initiate formal enforcement actions as necessary.
• Prepare and issue enforcement notices, breach of condition notices, stop notices, and other statutory enforcement documents.

Requirements

• Proven experience in planning enforcement, development management, or a related planning field.
• Experience in conducting site visits, investigations, and compliance inspections.
• Experience in preparing and serving enforcement notices and related legal documents.
• Experience in preparing reports and presenting recommendations to planning committees.
• Experience representing an organization at planning appeals, hearings, inquiries, or court proceedings.

Essential Qualifications Required

• Degree in Town Planning, Urban Planning, Planning Law, or a related discipline.
• Membership in a relevant professional body, such as the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
• Evidence of ongoing professional development pertinent to planning and enforcement.

Additional Information

• Working hours: 37 hours per week
• Driving license required.
• Location: King Square, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3AR, United Kingdom
• Work pattern: 2 days on site/in office.