Senior Planning Enforcement Officer

The Methodist Church in Britain; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave + bank holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible and hybrid working (1-2 days

Health and wellbeing support

Paid volunteering opportunities

Recruitment allowance £2,289 (time-lim

Job summary

Somerset Council's planning enforcement service is seeking an experienced post holder to lead complex enforcement and compliance matters across the county. The role involves investigating breaches, carrying out site visits, taking enforcement action, and representing the council at appeals and courts when needed.

You will support junior colleagues, provide expert advice to stakeholders, prepare reports, and drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Degree in planning or related field required.
• MRTPI membership or eligible for it.
• Significant local planning enforcement experience.
• Experience leading large or complex teams.

Responsibilities

• Take the lead on complex enforcement and compliance matters across Somerset.
• Investigate breaches of planning control.
• Carry out site visits.
• Manage challenging enforcement cases.
• Take enforcement action to ensure developments comply with planning policy.
• Provide expert advice to colleagues, stakeholders and local communities.
• Prepare reports.
• Represent the council at appeals and court proceedings when required.
• Support junior colleagues.
• Help drive continuous improvement within the planning enforcement service.

Skills

Planning enforcement

Site inspections

Team leadership

Legal processes

Stakeholder liaison

Report writing

Negotiation

Communication

Analytical skills

Policy knowledge

Education

Degree in planning

MRTPI membership

Job description

This permanent role sits in Somerset Council's planning enforcement service, where the post-holder takes the lead on complex enforcement and compliance cases across the county. The work centres on investigating breaches of planning control, carrying out site visits and taking enforcement action, and representing the council at appeals and court when needed. The post also involves leading and supporting junior colleagues, with hybrid working and part-time arrangements considered. Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK, as no visa sponsorship is offered.

What the job involves

• Take the lead on complex enforcement and compliance matters across Somerset
• Investigate breaches of planning control
• Carry out site visits
• Manage challenging enforcement cases
• Take enforcement action to ensure developments comply with planning policy
• Provide expert advice to colleagues, stakeholders and local communities
• Prepare reports
• Represent the council at appeals and court proceedings when required
• Support junior colleagues
• Help drive continuous improvement within the planning enforcement service

Qualifications

• Degree in planning or a related field
• MRTPI membership or eligibility

Experience

• Significant planning enforcement experience within a local authority planning service
• Experience of site inspections and legal processes
• Experience leading large or complex teams

Skills & knowledge

• Strong knowledge of planning legislation, policy and enforcement
• Sound understanding of planning legislation, decision-making and performance frameworks
• Skilled in preparing reports, notices and committee presentations
• Strong analytical, communication, negotiation and organisation skills
• Able to interpret legislation, manage caseloads and work with stakeholders
• Confidence advising elected members and senior officers on complex enforcement matters

Checks & eligibility

• Right to work in the UK without sponsorship

Nice to have

• RTPI membership
• Strong people-management and leadership skills

What's offered

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working, with 1-2 days per week in the office
• Health and wellbeing support, including confidential employee assistance
• Paid volunteering opportunities
• Time-limited recruitment allowance of £2,289 until 30/04/2028