Senior Planning Enforcement Officer

Golearnleicestershire; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market supplement

Job summary

Nottingham City Council is seeking an experienced Senior Planning Enforcement Officer to manage a varied caseload of enforcement investigations, from initial assessment through to formal action and potential court proceedings.

You will supervise other officers, gather evidence, prepare reports, and represent the Council at appeals or court where required. A strong planning-law background and leadership capability are essential.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in planning enforcement or a closely related planning role.
• Strong knowledge of planning law, enforcement procedures, statutory notices, evidence gathering and relevant legislation.
• Excellent investigative, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage a varied personal caseload while supervising and supporting other officers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and negotiation with stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for a varied caseload of enforcement investigations from initial assessment to formal action or court proceedings.
• Supervise and support other enforcement officers, providing guidance on difficult cases.
• Investigate unauthorised development and changes of use; carry out site inspections and evidence gathering.
• Prepare robust reports, draft and serve statutory notices, and liaise with Legal Services.
• Represent the Council at appeals, inquiries and court proceedings when required.
• Contribute to service improvement and development of the Planning Enforcement service.

Skills

Planning enforcement experience

Planning law knowledge

Investigation skills

Caseload management

Communication skills

Independent working

Education

Town/Urban Planning degree

Tools

Planning enforcement software

Job description

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Worker Type: Hybrid Worker

Salary: Starting salary is £37,563 (Level one) rising to £40,444 (Level four) per annum (pro-rata for part-time) Plus £5,000 market supplement

Location: Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG

We’ve got an exciting opportunity available for talented individuals to join our workforce. Perhaps this is the opportunity you’ve been looking for? Read on to find out more.

Working for Nottingham City Council has great benefits. As well as competitive pay, great leave entitlement and access to a generous pension scheme, we strive to create an innovative, inclusive and progressive work culture where everyone is supported to do and be their very best.

In return, we are looking for people like you: people who are innovative, driven and committed to serving and improving Nottingham. If you are passionate about making a difference to the lives of those who live and work in our city, we want to hear from you.

* You can read more about the different benefits offered to colleagues working for Nottingham City Council here.

About the Role

Planning enforcement has a direct and visible impact on Nottingham’s neighbourhoods, communities and built environment. We are investing in the service and are looking for an experienced Senior Planning Enforcement Officer who can help us deal confidently and effectively with complex breaches of planning control.

You will take responsibility for a varied caseload of significant enforcement investigations, from the initial assessment of alleged breaches through evidence gathering, negotiation, formal action and, where necessary, prosecution or court proceedings. You will also supervise and support other enforcement officers, providing guidance on difficult cases and helping to ensure that investigations are progressed consistently and proportionately.

You will investigate unauthorised development and changes of use, carry out site inspections, gather and assess evidence and determine the most appropriate and proportionate course of action. You will prepare clear and robust reports, draft and serve statutory notices, instruct Legal Services and represent the Council at appeals, inquiries and court proceedings where required.

The role involves working closely with property owners, developers, agents, councillors, local communities, Legal Services, other Council teams and external organisations. You will be expected to explain complex issues clearly, negotiate practical solutions where possible and take decisive formal action where this is justified.

Alongside your own caseload, you will contribute to service improvement, stronger working practices and the continued development of the Planning Enforcement service.

This is a strong opportunity for an experienced planning enforcement professional who wants to take on greater responsibility and make a visible contribution to Nottingham. The city’s dense and varied urban environment creates challenging enforcement issues involving residential neighbourhoods, commercial premises, heritage assets, regeneration areas and complex changes of use. You will have room to exercise professional judgement, influence outcomes and help shape a modern, effective and proportionate enforcement service.

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• Substantial experience in planning enforcement or a closely related planning role, including responsibility for complex investigations and formal enforcement action.
• Strong knowledge of planning law, enforcement procedures, statutory notices, evidence gathering and relevant legislation.
• Excellent investigative, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess evidence and determine a proportionate and legally robust course of action.
• The ability to manage a varied personal caseload while supervising and supporting other officers and ensuring that cases are progressed effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear reports and correspondence and negotiate confidently with property owners, developers, councillors, communities and legal professionals.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and remain calm and professional when dealing with difficult or contentious situations.

Experience of using planning enforcement systems and software would be helpful. A degree in Town Planning, Urban Planning or a related discipline, and membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute or another relevant professional body, are desirable rather than essential.

The role requires someone who can combine sound professional judgement with a practical and solutions-focused approach. You should be confident in seeking negotiated solutions where appropriate, but equally prepared to recommend and pursue formal action where this is necessary, proportionate and supported by the evidence.

You can find the job description for this post here.

For informal enquiries, please contact Alex Goddard by email at [e-mail].

Closing Date: 14th December 2026

Interviews will be held: early January 2027

If you have any technical issues when completing your application, please contact our Employee Service Centre: https://emss.org.uk/support

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