Planning Enforcement Officer

Coleford
£33,143 - £36,363
Full time permanent

Forest of Dean District Council is seeking a skilled Planning Enforcement Officer to join our Development Management service within the Communities and Place Directorate. Set within one of the UK’s most distinctive landscapes, the Forest of Dean offers an exceptional planning context—ranging from historic woodlands and market towns to innovative regeneration and renewable energy projects. You will work within the planning team to help ensure that this unique area is protected from inappropriate development and that planning permissions deliver their intended benefits to the local community and environment.

This role is responsible for investigating and managing a range of planning enforcement matters to help protect the local environment, uphold planning standards, and support the reputation of the Local Planning Authority. You will manage enforcement cases from investigation through to resolution, including appeals and formal action where necessary, exercising sound professional judgement and technical knowledge.

Working with a good degree of autonomy, you will undertake site visits, prepare clear and accurate reports and case notes, negotiate outcomes with stakeholders, and provide advice to colleagues, councillors and customers. You will also contribute to continuous service improvement and support effective team working within the Development Management service.

This role offers variety, responsibility and the opportunity to make a genuine impact within a supportive and professional planning team.

You will need essential:

• A minimum qualification equivalent to NVQ level 3 or A level, and/or three years relevant experience
• GCSE Maths and English or equivalent to grade C/4 or higher
• Ability to build customer relationships
• Proven experience dealing with the public with excellent negotiation skills
• Proven investigative and/or planning experience
• Knowledge and experience in assessing complex situations and carrying out inspections if and when required
• Ability to remain calm and confident when dealing with challenging customers and environments
• Ability to resolve complex issues by negotiation
• Mentor and train colleagues, achieving results through others
• Maintain accurate and up to date records
• Deliver commitments and take ownership of own caseload, reshaping plans to deliver required outcomes

Desirable:

Relevant recognised qualification – Planning technical qualification or equivalent experience
Experience of working in a planning office
Experience of dealing with legal issues including court prosecutions
Experience of working to P.A.C.E and R.I.P.A
Experience working with internal/external customers, partners/clients and elected members

Special Conditions

You will be expected to work reasonable additional hours in line with the needs of the service. There may be a requirement to work at other locations to meet the needs of the business. Full UK Driving Licence. Ability to travel / access to a vehicle for work purposes. For more information, please see the job description.

What we can do for you

Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days after five years of service
Two additional volunteering days per year
Health cash plan giving cash back on health, dental and eye care
Generous contributory local government pension scheme
Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
Cycle to work scheme
Salary sacrifice electric car lease scheme
Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements

About Us

Forest of Dean District Council is dedicated to creating a vibrant and sustainable future for our community. Our priorities are centred on fostering thriving communities by empowering and engaging residents, enhancing infrastructure, promoting community well-being, and ensuring social equity.

We are committed to decarbonisation and nature recovery, focusing on renewable energy transitions, energy efficiency, transport transformation, nature recovery, and food resilience. Additionally, we strive to build a sustainable economy through the promotion of a circular economy, robust business support, workforce skill development, sustainable town initiatives, and the preservation of natural capital.

Accredited under the Disability Confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy — please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email.

Forest of Dean District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people under 18, and adults at risk. Safer recruitment practices apply to all vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references; proof of identity, nationality and immigration status; three years’ employment or education history (if applicable); and, where required, verification of criminal record.