Essex Authority
Job Purpose
To investigate alleged breaches of planning control and ensure compliance with planning legislation, local planning policy, and enforcement procedures. The postholder will manage a varied caseload of enforcement matters and work proactively to achieve appropriate planning outcomes through negotiation, mediation, and formal enforcement action where necessary.
Key Responsibilities
- Investigate complaints relating to breaches of planning control, including unauthorised development, changes of use, advertisements, and breaches of planning conditions.
- Undertake site inspections, gather evidence, take photographs, and maintain accurate case records.
- Assess whether breaches of planning legislation have occurred and determine appropriate courses of action.
- Prepare and serve enforcement notices, planning contravention notices, breach of condition notices, stop notices, and related legal documentation.
- Negotiate with landowners, developers, agents, and members of the public to seek resolution of enforcement matters.
- Prepare reports and statements for appeals, hearings, inquiries, and court proceedings.
- Liaise with internal departments including Legal Services, Environmental Health, Building Control, and Planning Policy.
- Provide professional advice to councillors, residents, and stakeholders on planning enforcement matters.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of planning legislation, case law, and national planning policy guidance.
- Ensure cases are managed in accordance with the Council’s Enforcement Plan and performance targets.