Position: Senior Compliance Officer – Planning
Location: Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 12 weeks
Working Hours: 36 hours per week, with 2 days in the office and 3 days working remotely. Occasional work outside normal office hours and at weekends may be required.
Pay Rate: PAYE: £35.00 per hour
About Us:
I-Jobs is a UK-based recruitment agency specialising in placing experienced professionals across local government, public sector, and technical specialist roles. We work closely with councils and public organisations to provide high-quality interim and permanent talent that supports essential community services.
About Our Client:
Our client is a local authority responsible for planning, environmental health, and community development services. The Planning and Development department plays a key role in ensuring development across the borough is lawful, compliant, and aligned with planning policy and legislation.
Due to a temporary increase in workload, they are seeking an experienced Senior Compliance Officer – Planning to join their Compliance Team within Planning Services.
Role Overview:
You will be responsible for investigating alleged breaches of planning control, including complex cases, ensuring developments comply with approved plans and planning conditions, and supporting appropriate enforcement action where required. This is a varied role involving site investigations, evidence gathering, interviewing, case management, negotiation, and liaison with legal teams, residents, developers, landowners, agents, and other stakeholders.
You will also support proactive planning enforcement projects, public engagement activities, officer and Member training, and contribute to maintaining high standards of planning compliance across the Borough.
Key Responsibilities:
- Investigate alleged breaches of planning control, including complex cases
- Research site histories and review planning applications, approved plans, conditions, and other relevant documents
- Conduct site visits and surveys to gather evidence and assess developments
- Interview members of the public, landowners, and occupiers and take statements where required
- Work with applicants, developers, landowners, and agents to negotiate appropriate solutions and secure compliance
- Liaise with the Team Leader, Development Manager, Legal Services, and other relevant departments on investigations
- Prepare reports and recommendations on appropriate enforcement action
- Issue instructions and serve notices, ensuring all supporting evidence and documentation is properly prepared
- Prepare and present evidence for appeals, informal hearings, public inquiries, and court proceedings
- Respond professionally to enquiries from residents, Members, officers, and other interested parties
- Support proactive planning enforcement projects and public engagement activities across the Borough
- Assist with officer and Member training and provide enforcement support across Planning Services when required
- Contribute to regular performance reporting for the Compliance Team
Person Specification:
Requirements:
Experience
- Significant experience in planning enforcement and related procedures and tools
- Experience interviewing members of the public and taking statements
- Experience conducting site investigations, measuring developments, gathering evidence, and researching documentary records
- Experience using computerised systems and maintaining accurate records
Skills & Abilities
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and contribute positively to a team
- Ability to work with minimal supervision and manage workloads to meet deadlines
- Ability to read and interpret technical plans and drawings
- Strong negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to explain policies and processes to landowners and agents and secure appropriate solutions
- Ability to provide a high-quality service to customers
- Flexible and innovative approach to work
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and Government guidance, including PACE and RIPA
- Ability to undertake occasional site visits and investigations outside normal office hours and at weekends
- Ability to attend hearings, public inquiries, committees, and court proceedings when required
IT & Systems
- Experience using computerised planning and case management systems
- Proficient in maintaining accurate digital records and documentary evidence
- Ability to use Microsoft Office and other relevant council systems effectively
Qualifications
- Full UK driving licence
- Eligible to work in the UK
- Degree in Planning or an appropriate professional qualification in Planning Enforcement (desirable)
Nice to Have:
- Degree in Planning or an appropriate professional qualification in Planning Enforcement
- Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and its Enforcement Network
- Access to a vehicle for site visits throughout the Borough
- Experience working within a local authority Planning Enforcement or Compliance Team
- Experience supporting appeals, informal hearings, public inquiries, committees, or court proceedings
- Experience contributing to officer and Member training or planning enforcement projects
Additional Information:
- Hybrid working arrangement, with 2 days in the office and 3 days working remotely
- Occasional requirement for work outside normal office hours and at weekends
- Role may involve site visits, investigations, hearings, public inquiries, committees, and court proceedings
- Strong commitment to customer service, confidentiality, data protection, information security, health and safety, and employee conduct requirements is essential
- The postholder will be expected to comply with all relevant council policies, procedures, and professional standards
Job Reference: OR111629
Job Type: Fixed term contract
Pay: £35.00 per hour
Application question(s):
- Have you interviewed members of the public, landowners, occupiers, or other stakeholders and taken formal statements?
Experience:
- planning enforcement: 2 years (required)
- investigating alleged breaches of planning control: 2 years (required)
- conducting planning enforcement site investigations: 2 years (required)
- researching planning histories: 2 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
- knowledge of PACE, RIPA, planning enforcement legislation (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
