Senior Planning Enforcement Officer: Complex Investigations

Essential Employment; Bath; On-site; GBP 68,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Essential Employment is seeking a Senior Planning Enforcement Officer in Bridgwater on a full-time temporary basis, paying £35.34 per hour. The role involves investigating breaches of planning control, managing a caseload, undertaking site visits and preparing enforcement documents.

You will collaborate with legal teams, landowners and external organisations, prepare detailed reports and statements, represent the client at inquiries and hearings, and mentor junior staff in line with policy and

Responsibilities

• Investigate complaints and allegations relating to breaches of planning control and other planning-related legislation.
• Manage a caseload of complex planning enforcement investigations from inception through to resolution.
• Undertake site visits, inspections and evidence gathering activities to assess compliance with planning permissions and planning regulations.
• Evaluate breaches and determine appropriate courses of action in accordance with legislation, policy and procedural requirements.
• Prepare, issue and monitor enforcement notices, breach of condition notices, planning contravention notices, stop notices and other statutory enforcement documents.
• Negotiate with landowners, developers, agents and other stakeholders to achieve compliance and secure satisfactory outcomes.
• Prepare detailed reports, recommendations, witness statements and legal documentation to support enforcement action.
• Represent the Client at planning appeals, hearings, public inquiries, prosecutions and court proceedings.
• Provide specialist planning enforcement advice to colleagues, elected members, members of the public, developers and external organisations.
• Maintain accurate, robust and legally compliant records of investigations, decisions and enforcement actions.
• Monitor development sites to ensure compliance with approved plans and planning conditions.
• Work collaboratively with Legal Services, Environmental Health, Building Control, Highway Authorities and other agencies to resolve enforcement matters.
• Support, mentor and provide professional guidance to junior planning enforcement staff.
• Contribute to the development and review of planning enforcement policies, procedures and service standards.
• Ensure all activities are carried out in accordance with relevant legislation, council policies, health and safety requirements, data protection regulations and professional standards.

Job description

Essential Employment is seeking a Senior Planning Enforcement Officer in Bridgwater on a full-time temporary basis, paying £35.34 per hour. The role involves investigating breaches of planning control, managing a caseload, undertaking site visits and preparing enforcement documents.

You will collaborate with legal teams, landowners and external organisations, prepare detailed reports and statements, represent the client at inquiries and hearings, and mentor junior staff in line with policy and