Principal Planning Officer

The Principal Planning Officer (Planning Enforcement Team Leader) will provide strategic leadership and operational management for the Planning Enforcement team. The role involves overseeing compliance with planning regulations managing enforcement cases providing professional planning advice and ensuring timely and effective resolution of breaches. This position also involves leading mentoring and developing a team of planning officers while contributing to the overall planning strategy of the local authority.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead supervise and develop the Planning Enforcement team fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
  

• Allocate resources and manage workloads to ensure effective and efficient enforcement operations.
  

• Provide guidance support and professional mentorship to junior and mid-level officers.
  

• Conduct performance appraisals training needs assessments and staff development plans.
  

• Oversee the investigation and resolution of alleged breaches of planning control ensuring compliance with local and national policies.
  

• Advise on enforcement actions including formal notices prosecutions and injunctions.
  

• Monitor the effectiveness of enforcement actions and implement improvements to procedures where necessary.
  

• Collaborate with other departments statutory agencies and legal teams on enforcement cases.
  

• Contribute to the development and implementation of planning policies guidance and enforcement strategies.
  

• Provide professional planning advice to senior management elected members and stakeholders.
  

• Identify trends in enforcement issues and recommend proactive measures to prevent breaches.
  

• Act as a point of contact for developers landowners members of the public and elected officials regarding enforcement matters.
  

• Prepare reports briefing notes and presentations for committee meetings and senior management.
  

• Represent the authority in public forums planning committees and in negotiations with developers or legal representatives.
  

• Maintain accurate records of enforcement cases including monitoring progress and outcomes.
  

• Prepare performance reports and KPIs for senior management.
  

• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements internal policies and best practice standards.
  

Requirements

• Degree in Town Planning Urban Planning or related discipline.
  

• Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is highly desirable.
  

• Extensive experience in planning enforcement or development management preferably within a local authority setting.
  

• Proven leadership experience including managing teams and complex projects.
  

• Knowledge of relevant planning legislation policies and enforcement procedures.
  

• Bi-Weekly Payments
  
• 37 Hours Per Week
  
• Hybrid Working