Planning Enforcement Manager

Come and join our Planning Enforcement Team

We have a great opportunity in our Planning Enforcement Team to be involved in ensuring high quality development is in line with approved plans and that breaches of planning control are regularised. This will ensure the beautiful nature of our rural district is maintained and enhanced.

There are many things our residents love about the Tandridge district including our fantastic location, our countryside and the community feel of our towns and villages. We think you will love Tandridge too.

The role

The Planning and Development Management Team manages the Council’s planning enforcement service, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and council policies. This role involves overseeing complex enforcement cases, managing a professional team, and providing advice to senior management and committees. 

You will be responsible for:

• Leading and managing the planning enforcement team to achieve high performance.
• Managing complex and high-profile enforcement cases, investigating complaints of unauthorised development, and ensuring compliance with planning conditions and preparing and presenting reports, appeal statements, and legal notices.
• Maintaining a high level of customer service and keeping up to date with changes in planning policy and legislation.
• Undertaking site investigations and evidence gathering for complex breaches of planning control and leading on strategic cases.
• Using your delegated authority to sign off notices and closures.
• Acting as the lead in enforcement appeals, including inquiries and prosecution cases and supporting the enforcement team to draft notices and statements.
• Preparing appeal statements and proofs of evidence and associated reports.
• Undertaking any additional duties of a similar level of responsibility as may be required from time to time.

Who we’re looking for:

• A self-starter with a degree in a planning related discipline or equivalent planning enforcement experience.
• Significant experience in planning enforcement and managing complex caseloads, with an exceptional understanding of planning law and national planning policies.
• Experience of managing staff and dealing with enforcement cases including legal proceedings.
• Strong IT skills.
• Good communicator with excellent report writing skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and with other teams.
• Collaborative and personable, you are good at building positive working relationships and influencing at all levels of the organisation.
• Previous employment with a council would be an advantage.

What we offer

The salary for our Planning Enforcement Manager range is £51,619 to £61,484. Progression within the top of the pay range of £58,646 to £61,484 will be dependent on the level of experience of the candidate and how well they meet the criteria from the person specification.

There is also a welcome payment of £5000 (after successful completion of probationary period and a retention payment of £5000 at the end of the third year).

When you join us your expertise, skills and experience will be valued, and your career development will be our priority.

We are committed to creating a collaborative and innovative environment which empowers you to thrive. You will be part of a friendly, supportive One Team culture with the chance to make a real difference.

We believe in balancing hard work with fun. Our active social team organises two to three events a year, ranging from Staff Awards, quiz nights to rounders in the park helping the workplace to be productive and enjoyable.

We use Viva Engage to keep you connected and engaged and we hold regular face to face meetings, such as Chief Executive briefings to keep you in the loop.

We are conveniently located close to Oxted Station and have some free on-site parking.

In addition to the stated pay, we offer membership and contributions towards the Local Government Pension Scheme, hybrid working (requiring presence in the office for around two days a week), flexitime, payment of a relevant professional subscription and access to a discounted health scheme. Please visit our website for more information about working for us www.tandridge.gov.uk/jobs and download our Working for Tandridge guide.

Diversity statement

At Tandridge District Council, we pride ourselves on maintaining an inclusive workplace, ensuring equality, fairness and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, and good practice is embedded in the Council’s culture and services.

We welcome applications from all sectors of our community, including BAME, LGBTQ+ and all groups protected under the Equality Act.

Tandridge is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.

How to apply:

Want to know more? If this sounds like your kind of challenge and you want to be part of our friendly and supportive team, we would love to hear from you.

If you would like to find out more, please read our role profile and specification, or for an informal discussion about the role, please e-mail Thomas James, tjames@tandridge.gov.uk.