Senior Planning Enforcement Officer – Lead Complex Cases

ESSENTIAL EMPLOYMENT LTD; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

ESSENTIAL EMPLOYMENT LTD is seeking a Senior Planning Enforcement Officer in Bridgwater to manage complex enforcement caseloads and lead site investigations. The role involves working on a full-time basis on temporary assignment, preparing enforcement documents and representing the client at hearings and inquiries.

The successful candidate will coordinate with legal, planning, and external agencies, mentor junior staff, and ensure compliance with planning regulations and internal policies.

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 LTD is seeking a Senior Planning Enforcement Officer in Bridgwater to manage complex enforcement caseloads and lead site investigations. The role involves working on a full-time basis on temporary assignment, preparing enforcement documents and representing the client at hearings and inquiries.

The successful candidate will coordinate with legal, planning, and external agencies, mentor junior staff, and ensure compliance with planning regulations and internal policies.