Planning Enforcement Officer

Contract | Civic Recruitment Limited | United Kingdom

Posted On 02/07/2026

City:
Worcester

Province:
Worcestershire

Postal Code: WR1

Location: Worcester City Centre

Working Pattern: Hybrid – 1 day office-based, 4 days remote

Contract: Temporary (5 Months)

Requirement:

• Ability to attend urgent site visits at short notice (Monday–Friday).

This temporary 5-month contract role is crucial for investigating and resolving alleged breaches of planning control. The position ensures compliance with planning legislation and local authority policies. You will handle a diverse caseload of planning enforcement complaints, conducting investigations, assessing evidence, determining appropriate actions, and supporting formal enforcement proceedings when necessary.

• Manage a caseload of approximately 70–100 planning enforcement complaints.
• Investigate new complaints and review the progress of existing cases.
• Assess alleged breaches of planning control and determine appropriate next steps.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records throughout investigations.

• Conduct site visits and inspections to investigate planning concerns.
• Review planning permissions, site histories, legal documents, and drawings.
• Assess compliance with planning legislation and regulations.
• Consider matters relating to heritage assets, conservation areas, and protected trees where applicable.

• Gather evidence to support enforcement investigations.
• Draft warning letters, planning enforcement notices, and related documentation.
• Prepare evidence and case files for prosecution where required.
• Conduct interviews under caution in accordance with relevant procedures.

• Liaise with complainants, alleged offenders, councillors, colleagues, and external agencies.
• Provide clear updates on case progress and enforcement actions.
• Handle sensitive and potentially contentious issues professionally and diplomatically.

• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports.
• Draft professional correspondence and enforcement documentation.
• Ensure records are maintained in accordance with legal and audit requirements.

• Prioritise cases based on risk and service priorities.
• Deliver timely and effective enforcement outcomes.
• Contribute to maintaining a high-quality planning enforcement service.

• Knowledge of planning legislation and enforcement procedures.
• Understanding of planning application processes and planning policy.
• Knowledge of enforcement notices, appeals, and prosecution processes.
• Understanding of heritage assets, conservation issues, and protected trees.

• Experience working in planning enforcement or a related planning role.
• Experience managing planning enforcement investigations and complaints.
• Experience carrying out site inspections and evidence gathering.
• Experience writing detailed reports and professional correspondence.
• Experience conducting interviews under caution.
• Local authority planning enforcement experience.

• Excellent investigative and analytical skills.
• Strong organisational and case management abilities.
• Ability to prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written communication and report-writing skills.
• Strong verbal communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to interpret plans, legal documents, and planning records.
• Ability to work independently and make sound professional judgments.

• Relevant qualification in Planning, Town Planning, Environmental Management, or a related discipline.
• Membership of, or working towards membership of, a relevant professional body such as RTPI.

• This is a 5-month temporary contract.
• Hybrid working – 1 day office-based, 4 days remote.
• Pay is provided on a bi-weekly basis.
• Opportunity to work within a busy Planning Enforcement team.