We are seeking a motivated and proactive individual to join our Planning team as a Planning Enforcement Officer. The role involves assisting in the enforcement of planning regulations and related environmental matters, ensuring compliance with council policies and procedures. The ideal candidate will have experience in planning enforcement or similar regulatory enforcement work, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Investigations and Complaints Handling:
• Investigate enquiries or complaints arising from alleged breaches of planning control, unauthorized uses of land and buildings, and conditions of planning permissions.
• Investigate complaints regarding the condition of land and buildings, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
• Planning Conditions and Legal Agreements:
• Monitor development sites to ensure compliance with approved plans and conditions of planning permissions or legal agreements.
• Investigate alleged breaches of planning conditions or legal agreements and take appropriate enforcement action.
• Caravan Control:
• Investigate and take action to remove illegally stationed caravans on council-owned land, following instructions from the Borough Solicitor.
• Liaison and Collaboration:
• Liaise with internal council services, external agencies, and stakeholders to ensure efficient handling of enquiries and complaints.
• Collaborate with other services to develop and implement proactive monitoring procedures for developments.
• Evidence Collection and Legal Proceedings:
• Collect evidence, prepare legal notices and files for delegated authorization to proceed with legal action if necessary.
• Prepare enforcement appeal statements and prosecution files, attending public inquiries, tribunals, or court hearings as required.
• Communication and Reporting:
• Advise the public and council members on enforcement cases, preparing reports and attending relevant meetings or committees.
• Maintain accurate records of investigations, enforcement proceedings, and time recording for statistical purposes.

Person Specification:

• Experience: Previous experience in planning enforcement or similar regulatory enforcement work in a public sector organization (Essential).
• Skills: Excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize workload, and work under pressure to meet deadlines. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders (Essential).
• Qualifications: Ability to interpret plans and other drawings, research, and analyze historical or statistical information (Essential).
• Behaviours and Values: Commitment to adhering to the values set out in the Rochdale Way, including valuing people, focusing on customers, acting with integrity, using time and resources wisely, working collaboratively, and continuous learning and improvement (Essential).