Lead Planning Enforcement Officer

Northamptonshireparks; Kettering; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in England is seeking a Lead Planning Enforcement Officer to manage the Planning Enforcement Team. This pivotal role involves investigating planning control breaches, ensuring compliance with permissions, and leading a team dedicated to safeguarding public interest in development. Candidates should possess a relevant degree, knowledge of English planning legislation, and experience in legal proceedings. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits, fostering a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Generous leave entitlement

Hybrid and flexible working arrangements

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Hold a relevant degree and qualifications or appropriate experience for chartered membership.
• Demonstrate knowledge of planning enforcement processes.
• Experience in legal proceedings and planning compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Planning Enforcement Team.
• Investigate breaches of planning control.
• Ensure compliance with planning permissions and conditions.

Skills

Knowledge of inspection and investigation procedures

Knowledge of PACE & RIPA legislation

In-depth understanding of the English Planning System

Experience with legal proceedings in the English legal system

Education

Degree in Planning or equivalent

Job description

# Lead Planning Enforcement OfficerYour differences make us different - #achievetogether## About the roleNorth Northamptonshire Council is a product of local government reorganisation which took place across Northamptonshire in 2021. We have brought together the four former district and borough and county Local Planning Authority planning functions and working through a transformation programme to create a single high-performing planning service for North Northamptonshire.North Northamptonshire is a high-growth area offering an exciting opportunity for professional development. We are working on preparing a new Local Plan to provide a spatial vision for the whole area. We are delivering sustainable urban extensions in differing phases of development, a wealth of large commercial and industrial development proposals and everything in between. This role with lead the Council’s planning enforcement function which is crucial to ensuring that quality development we have planned for and consented is realised in a way that safeguards confidence in the planning process, and best protects the wider public interest.**Please note: Interviews are anticipated to take place on 21st / 22nd January 2026**In this dynamic role you will play a vital part in supporting the effective delivery of North Northamptonshire’s planning functions. You will be at the forefront of providing customer service, engaging with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including members of the public, applicants and councillors, ensuring every interaction reflects our commitment to the future of our area.You will be joining us at an exciting time as we implement our new team structure, come together in new headquarter offices, and roll-out new planning software and ways of working. Working as a Lead Planning Enforcement Officer you will be at the at the forefront of supporting initiatives be part of our continuing transformation and improvement journey, influencing the evolution of our service.Your principal responsibilities will be focused on the management of the Planning Enforcement Team with the tasks of investigating breaches of planning control and monitor compliance with planning permissions including planning conditions and legal agreements. Utilising your professional knowledge and experience, you will direct and support colleagues with all matters relating to alleged breaches of planning control using the full range of available enforcement tools available.### About youYou will hold a relevant degree and qualifications or have the appropriate experience that would allow you to be eligible for chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent).You will be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience of inspection and investigation procedures; knowledge and experience of PACE & RIPA legislation; and knowledge and experience of legal proceedings within English legal system.You will have an in-depth understanding an extensive experience of the English Planning System, current planning legislation and practice, with a focus on the enforcement of breaches of planning control.### Our benefitsHere at North Northamptonshire Council, we’re transforming for the better, using all our creativity and imagination to create the best life for our local people.You’ll find that we have a wide range of careers that may be more surprising than you think!We offer a vibrant working environment with:* a competitive salary* a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.* lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council* generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days* hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work-life balance.We provide a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, as well as supporting a range of active Employee Network Groups.**Our Values and Behaviours**Our values define who we are and how we operate, by forming the foundation for how we interact with our customers, colleagues and provide our services. They are also at the forefront of our decision making and delivery and are:Customer-focused Respectful Efficient Supportive TrustworthyOur key commitments help ensure that the priorities we make, now and in the future, maintain the necessary breadth of focus in those areas that we believe matter most.**Disability Confident Employer**We are proud to be a recognised Disability Confident Employer and is committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role.Our Employment and Disability Service provides bespoke support to individuals facing barriers to employment, helping them work towards their goals to start, stay and succeed in employment. For further information please click here**Armed Forces Community**The council obtained the Gold status award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).Further information can be found at Jobs and careers | North Northamptonshire Council (northnorthants.gov.uk)The following content displays a map of the job's location.| OpenStreetMap contributors### Lead Planning Enforcement Officer* **Salary** £53,460 to £56,805* **Salary Frequency** Annual* **Working Hours** 37* **Job Reference** Ref/126918/7753* **Contract Type** Full Time* **Closing Date** 11 January, 2026* **Job Category** Planning* **Location** Kettering, United Kingdom* **Job Posted Date** 15 December, 2025