Senior Planning Enforcement

Service Care Solutions; Guildford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority service provider is seeking a Senior Planning Enforcement Officer to handle complex enforcement cases in Guildford. This role involves managing investigations, providing guidance, and representing the authority in court. Ideal candidates will have strong knowledge of planning enforcement and excellent communication skills, with the ability to work independently and manage caseloads effectively. This is a 36-hour per week role at £38 PAYE / £45 Umbrella, under a 6-month rolling contract.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of planning enforcement in a local authority.
• Experience with complex cases and court representation.
• Ability to provide functional guidance to colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of planning enforcement cases.
• Act as point of contact for contentious matters.
• Prepare statements for enforcement appeals and attend hearings.

Skills

Planning enforcement

Communication skills

Report writing

Case management

Education

A-Level/NVQ3 or equivalent

Degree in a relevant field

Tools

Planning and enforcement systems

Job description

Senior Planning Enforcement Officer - South-East Local Authority £38 PAYE / £45 Umbrella (Inside IR35)
36 hours per week
6-month rolling contract

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Senior Planning Enforcement Officer to join a South‑East based Local Authority within their Planning & Development service. This is a specialist role requiring someone confident in managing complex and contentious enforcement cases, acting as the main point of contact for customers, and delivering a high‑quality, compliant enforcement service. You'll work independently, handling investigations, inspections, enforcement appeals, and representing the authority at hearings, inquiries, and court where necessary. This is an excellent opportunity for an established specialist to support a proactive development management function and contribute to wider service improvements.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of complex and sensitive planning enforcement cases from initial investigation through to resolution.
• Act as the single point of contact for customers on contentious matters, maintaining high‑quality communication and service standards.
• Prepare statements, evidence, and documentation for enforcement appeals; represent the authority at written reps, hearings, and inquiries.
• Attend court when required and support legal processes associated with enforcement action.
• Provide technical oversight and functional guidance to caseworkers and customer services teams.
• Contribute to policy development, service review, and corporate/community project work.
• Maintain accurate case records and ensure all systems are updated in line with data protection principles.
• Collaborate effectively with internal teams, Members, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Keep up to date with relevant legislation, guidance, and best practice in planning enforcement.
• Occasional out‑of‑hours work may be required.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge and experience of planning enforcement within a local authority environment.
• Good understanding of relevant planning legislation, regulations, and enforcement procedures.
• Experience managing complex or contentious cases and presenting evidence at appeals and/or court.
• Confident in providing specialist advice and functional guidance to colleagues.
• Ability to work independently, prioritise workloads, and manage cases to conclusion.
• Excellent communication, report writing, and customer‑facing skills.
• Educated to A‑Level/NVQ3 or equivalent (Degree desirable).
• Experience using planning and enforcement systems (desirable).

Contact To apply or find out more, please contact James at Service Care Solutions.