Principal Planning Enforcement Officer x2

Job reference VAC009000 Date posted 22/10/2026 Application closing date 16/11/2026 Location City Hall College Green City Centre Bristol BS1 5TR Salary BG13: £48,738 - £51,928 Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Planning and Building Control Attachments Person Specification.pdf Job Description.pdf

Full Time, Permanent

We're looking for two Principal Planning Enforcement Officers to join our Planning Enforcement team at Bristol City Council.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in delivering a high-quality planning enforcement service within one of the UK's most dynamic urban environments. You'll be responsible for investigating and resolving some of the most complex and high-profile breaches of planning control, helping to protect and enhance Bristol's built and natural environment.

As a senior member of the team, you will either supervise a small team of enforcement officers while managing a small caseload or take a lead role in managing a substantial portfolio of complex enforcement projects requiring matrix and project management skills.

We're seeking an experienced and highly motivated planning enforcement professional who combines strong technical knowledge with excellent judgement, leadership and communication skills. You will be a confident decision-maker with a thorough understanding of planning legislation and enforcement practice, capable of managing complex and often contentious cases from investigation through to resolution. You'll be comfortable balancing competing priorities, assessing planning harm, and making proportionate recommendations in the public interest.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading on complex and controversial planning enforcement cases.
• Investigating breaches of planning control and recommending appropriate enforcement action.
• Preparing and reviewing enforcement reports, notices and legal documentation.
• Managing a small team of enforcement officers.
• Signing off case officer reports and recommendations.
• Presenting cases to Planning Committee and engaging with elected members.
• Representing the Council at hearings, inquiries and appeals as an expert witness.
• Supervising, mentoring and developing enforcement officers.
• Contributing to service improvement and change programmes across Development Management.
• Providing expert planning enforcement advice to colleagues, residents, businesses and stakeholders.

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate the following:

Essential

• Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
• Detailed knowledge of planning legislation, policy and development management processes.
• Significant experience dealing with complex planning enforcement cases.
• Experience drafting enforcement notices, reports and appeal statements.
• Experience appearing at hearings and inquiries and acting as a professional witness.
• Experience supervising, mentoring or managing staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• A commitment to delivering an excellent customer-focused service.

Desirable

• Experience presenting to committees and public meetings.
• Understanding of housing delivery challenges and the role of planning services.
• Experience working within a complex urban environment.

Why Join Us?

At Bristol City Council, you'll have the opportunity to work on some of the most challenging and interesting planning enforcement cases in the country, helping to shape and protect one of the UK's most vibrant and diverse cities.

Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's largest and most competitive public sector pension schemes.
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 25 days increasing to 30 days after 5 years of continuous service, plus bank holidays and an annual leave purchase/top-up scheme.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment with a strong commitment to employee wellbeing.
• Access to learning and development opportunities, including support for professional qualifications and continued RTPI professional development.
• Family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption provisions.
• The opportunity to work on high-profile and complex planning enforcement matters that make a tangible difference to communities across Bristol.

This is a great opportunity to progress your career in a busy city environment. You’ll be part of a passionate team dedicated to taking on of the UK most dynamic core cities from strength to strength.

Bristol City Council are not offering sponsorship for this role.

Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit. The personal information section (including your name) you complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.

For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or alternatively, please contact Ronan Kelly (Deputy Head of Planning – Planning Enforcement) at ronan.kelly@bristol.gov.uk.

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