Planning Enforcement and Compliance Officer
| Posting date: | 12 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £37,224 to £42,096 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 10 September 2025 |
| Location: | Thanet |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Thanet District Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | TDC0812 |
Summary
We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated, conscientious and enthusiastic individual to work in the planning enforcement team. This is an exciting opportunity to help deliver a high-quality planning service to provide growth in accordance with our adopted Local Plan and prevent unauthorised and inappropriate development in the district.
You will carry out a range of functions within the enforcement team, including managing a caseload of planning enforcement complaints, including decision-making on need for planning permission and investigation of breaches in accordance with the Council’s Enforcement Protocol and Plan. This is an exciting career opportunity for those interested in shaping the built environment for existing and future communities in the district.
Main Duties
Investigate complaints about alleged breaches of planning law and seek to negotiate solutions and where appropriate instigate legal action.
Provide professional support and guidance to the Planning Enforcement Assistant.
Assess and advise the public on the need for planning permission.
Support the Principal Enforcement Officer in giving evidence on joint investigations at Magistrates Courts and to give evidence at Magistrates Court on individual caseload investigations as appropriate.
In conjunction with the Planning Application Manager, Principal Enforcement Officer and Legal Team, to decide on appropriate course of action and strategy for managing enforcement cases, and carry out associated work (including preparation of notices).
Liaise with Ward Councillors on complex and potentially controversial cases.
Communication in person, on site, by telephone and electronically with applicants, developers, statutory consultees, architects/agents and lawyers to resolve issues, improve development proposals, and facilitate high quality development
Communication with complainants, including negotiation/discussion with developers to achieve solutions and resolve problems
Negotiate with developers to secure payment of monies when initial requests by S106 monitoring officer have not achieved compliance
Investigate and gather evidence, including via interview under caution and the service of Planning Contravention Notices, criminal acts in relation to unauthorised works to Listed Buildings and trees and where appropriate
Required Attributes
Detailed knowledge of planning enforcement law, policy and guidance.
Strong communication skills at all levels.
Interpersonal, negotiation and diplomatic skills when engaging with individuals, developers, statutory and non-statutory consultees, and internal and external parties.
The creativity to resolve problems and potential conflict and thus achieve positive outcomes for all stakeholders.
Ability to understand and appreciate planning and legal matters, applying professional judgement in determining a course of action, with the ability to objectively assess and conclude in a clear and precise manner.
Ability to manage own workload and commitment to meeting deadlines
Experience of progressing complaints to prosecution, and managing major and complex cases.
Degree qualification in Town and Country Planning or equivalent (over 5 years working experience in Planning Enforcement at a Local Authority)
For more information about this post please contact either Nicki.burford@thanet.gov.uk or Iain.Livingstone@thanet.gov.uk
You will carry out a range of functions within the enforcement team, including managing a caseload of planning enforcement complaints, including decision-making on need for planning permission and investigation of breaches in accordance with the Council’s Enforcement Protocol and Plan. This is an exciting career opportunity for those interested in shaping the built environment for existing and future communities in the district.
Main Duties
Investigate complaints about alleged breaches of planning law and seek to negotiate solutions and where appropriate instigate legal action.
Provide professional support and guidance to the Planning Enforcement Assistant.
Assess and advise the public on the need for planning permission.
Support the Principal Enforcement Officer in giving evidence on joint investigations at Magistrates Courts and to give evidence at Magistrates Court on individual caseload investigations as appropriate.
In conjunction with the Planning Application Manager, Principal Enforcement Officer and Legal Team, to decide on appropriate course of action and strategy for managing enforcement cases, and carry out associated work (including preparation of notices).
Liaise with Ward Councillors on complex and potentially controversial cases.
Communication in person, on site, by telephone and electronically with applicants, developers, statutory consultees, architects/agents and lawyers to resolve issues, improve development proposals, and facilitate high quality development
Communication with complainants, including negotiation/discussion with developers to achieve solutions and resolve problems
Negotiate with developers to secure payment of monies when initial requests by S106 monitoring officer have not achieved compliance
Investigate and gather evidence, including via interview under caution and the service of Planning Contravention Notices, criminal acts in relation to unauthorised works to Listed Buildings and trees and where appropriate
Required Attributes
Detailed knowledge of planning enforcement law, policy and guidance.
Strong communication skills at all levels.
Interpersonal, negotiation and diplomatic skills when engaging with individuals, developers, statutory and non-statutory consultees, and internal and external parties.
The creativity to resolve problems and potential conflict and thus achieve positive outcomes for all stakeholders.
Ability to understand and appreciate planning and legal matters, applying professional judgement in determining a course of action, with the ability to objectively assess and conclude in a clear and precise manner.
Ability to manage own workload and commitment to meeting deadlines
Experience of progressing complaints to prosecution, and managing major and complex cases.
Degree qualification in Town and Country Planning or equivalent (over 5 years working experience in Planning Enforcement at a Local Authority)
For more information about this post please contact either Nicki.burford@thanet.gov.uk or Iain.Livingstone@thanet.gov.uk
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