Planning Enforcement Officer to Senior Planning Enforcement Officer

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council – a local authority committed to ensuring high-quality development and protecting the character of the Borough – is seeking a Planning Enforcement Officer to Senior Planning Enforcement Officer to join the Development Management team.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigating potential breaches of planning control with a caseload of planning, advertisement, listed building and conservation area consent enforcement investigations, including checking and researching planning histories, reviewing other sources of information, making site inspections, undertaking surveillance, interviewing site owners and others, assessing planning status and identifying breaches of planning control.
• Undertaking negotiations to rectify breaches of planning control where appropriate and providing advice and guidance on enforcement matters.
• Preparing and presenting reports for the Line Manager and Committee seeking authority for formal action in accordance with Council policy, standing orders and good practice, and preparing instructions, documents, statements and notices relating to appeals, enforcement and related matters for Legal Services and delegated officers.
• Keeping accurate manual and electronic records, maintaining ongoing records of complaints, preparing monitoring reports and contributing to the preparation of the Enforcement Plan and other service policies.
• Preparing and giving evidence in relation to prosecutions, inquiries and hearings.
• Managing the Planning and Enforcement Assistant/Planning Enforcement Officer and assisting with undertaking any formal action necessary.
• Liaising and meeting with customers and officers, providing advice and guidance on enforcement, planning and related matters, and responding to requests from elected Members of the Council.
• Dealing with general enquiries relating to enforcement matters received by letter, email, telephone and in person.
• Carrying out occasional duties outside normal office hours, participating in the duty rota, maintaining and exceeding Customer Care standards, and complying with Council policies and procedures, including Health and Safety requirements.
• Promoting equality and diversity in the workplace and Council services, providing advice in accurate spoken English to staff and members of the public, and undertaking other duties commensurate with the level and grade of the post.

Skills and Experience

• Educated to GCSE/O Level standard (Grade A–C or equivalent), including English and Maths.
• Experience of working within a Local Authority Planning Enforcement department or in a professional planning role.
• Experience of serving planning enforcement notices.
• Understanding of the development management process, including the GPDO and Use Classes Order.
• Computer literacy with experience of using Microsoft Office or equivalent software packages.
• Ability to interpret development proposals and breaches of planning control against planning policy and the legal framework of the Town and Country Planning Acts.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to deal considerately and effectively with people at all levels.
• Ability to make frequent decisions and exercise initiative without ready access to a senior officer.
• Ability to read and interpret building plans against planning policy and legislative requirements.
• Experience of maintaining accurate manual and electronic records and monitoring systems.
• Experience or knowledge of the operation of PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984) requirements (desirable).
• Experience or knowledge of the operation of RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000) requirements (desirable).
• Ability to use Geographical Information Systems and Planning Record Databases (desirable).
• Experience of giving evidence in court, at hearings and inquiries (desirable).
• Full UK driving licence and access to a motor vehicle.
• Competitive salary with annual increments and national pay award agreements.
• Local Government Pension Scheme with 19.5% employer contribution.
• Generous annual leave (25+ days plus bank holidays and Christmas closure day), with the option to buy/sell leave and flexitime available.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements supporting work–life balance and family-friendly policies, including enhanced parental leave.
• Comprehensive health and wellbeing support, including 24/7 counselling, occupational health, mental health training, wellbeing apps, and free eye tests.
• Staff discounts and lifestyle benefits, including leisure facility discounts, retail savings schemes, and gym memberships.
• Sustainable travel and commuting support, including cycle to work scheme, pool bikes, electric pool cars, discounted bus travel, and staff parking.
• Learning and development opportunities, including funded qualifications, apprenticeships, e-learning, mentoring, and leadership programmes.
• Employee recognition and engagement through awards, long service recognition, staff forums, surveys, and trade union representation.
• Additional benefits include salary sacrifice schemes, occupational sick pay (enhanced with service), and access to events such as elections with additional payments.

Salary: Starting at £34,431 per annum, rising to £45,089 per annum through annual increments subject to satisfactory service (inclusive of outer fringe allowance).

Contract: Permanent, full-time, 37 hours per week (hybrid working).

Closing date: 5 July 2026. Remote assessments will take place on 13 July 2026, with face‑to‑face interviews held on 20–21 July 2026.

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