Planning Enforcement Officer

Job Introduction

Role Purpose

To assist with the delivery of the Council’s Planning Enforcement Service on all matters relating to the Planning Enforcement and in accordance with BCP’s Enforcement Plan, Government guidance and legislation. To deal with a varied caseload of enforcement cases, ensuring the Council achieves positive planning outcomes, ensuring planning legislation and policy is adhered to, and that successful enforcement can effectively assist in safeguarding the local environment in a timely fashion. 

Main Responsibilities

• To efficiently investigate and resolve a wide range of planning, advertisement, listed building and tree enforcement enquiries and complaints to aid the delivery of the Planning Enforcement service and to ensure the service provided by the Council is in accordance with statutory, national and local requirements.
• To undertake thorough assessments to establish if a breach of planning control or an offence has occurred, through desk-based research and site inspections.  To record such investigations and findings and make recommendations to take or not to take action, or to negotiate outcomes to resolve a breach or to mitigate any planning harm identified, in discussion with their line manager and other senior officers within the Council. 
• To be the lead officer for the Council on Planning Enforcement investigations and prosecutions relating to all planning, advertisement, conservation area, listed building and tree infringements and contraventions working with other professional experts. To draft, prepare and serve formal notices under the lead of the Enforcement Manager and/or the Senior Planning Enforcement Officer.  
• To represent the Council where appropriate in a professional manner which safeguards the reputation of the Council; promoting a positive perception of the service and developing a culture of providing excellent customer care to all service users;
• To establish and maintain credible and effective working relationships, both internally and with external organisations.
• Represent the Growth and Infrastructure Directorate in appeals, informal hearings and public inquiries, with enforcement witness statements, legal action, and court cases as they affect all Planning Enforcement matters relating to planning, advertisement, conservation, listed building and tree infringements/contraventions/offences.

The Ideal Candidate

• Planning related or investigation degree or professional qualification in a relevant subject or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills and experience.  
• Professional competence in relation to planning and/or investigation matters.
• Member of a professional body e.g. MRTPI or NAPE or similar (desirable) 
• Experience in planning and/or enforcement related services and/or functions 
• High level of resilience, attention to detail, calm under pressure, ability to demonstrate self-awareness as well as the ability to perceive, use, understand, manage and handle all types of different situations, some which can be difficult or contentious; 
• Ability to interpret complex technical detail with advanced analytical skill;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to deliver work to tight deadlines and be flexible in managing workloads;
• Good negotiating skills and an ability to find positive and practical solutions to problems;
• Excellent teamwork skills and ability to influence team structure and help develop staff;
• Excellent oral, written and presentational communication skills;
• IT literate and experience in using Microsoft Office suite tools;
• Must hold a valid UK driving licence and able to travel with access to own or pool car.

For an informal discussion please contact Mrs Pip Williams on 01202 817597

Please refer to the Job Description to assist filling in your online application form 

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

Our Benefits

We offer an excellent benefits package to colleagues. Find out more on our website.

As a result of the creation of BCP Council in 2019, we are working on simplifying our terms and conditions of service and will be creating a single pay structure which is to be applicable for all employees. It is important to us that we offer benefits that our colleagues value as part of their total employment package and we are reviewing these to make sure we have it right. We are in the process of establishing a timescale for implementation and colleagues joining us will be included in these changes. This is expected to be in place in 2024.