Planning Enforcement Officer in London

Are you passionate about protecting the integrity of the planning system and shaping the future of two vibrant London boroughs? We are looking for a proactive and motivated Planning Enforcement Officer to join our unique and forward-thinking enforcement team that operates across Richmond and Wandsworth boroughs.

As part of our newly established Growth and Place Directorate, you will play a key role in delivering our place-based vision for growth across a significant part of London, ensuring system-thinking that connects planning, regeneration, housing, transport and economic development. Working within a dynamic and collaborative environment, you will investigate breaches of planning control, negotiate solutions, and take formal action where necessary including service of enforcement notices, defending appeals and bringing serious offences forward to court.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact in a forward-thinking team that values innovation, professional development, and partnership working. If you have strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to high-quality outcomes, we would love to hear from you.

What the Role Involves:

• Investigating alleged breaches of planning control across Richmond and Wandsworth boroughs.
• Conducting site visits, gathering evidence, and preparing reports.
• Negotiating solutions with developers, residents, and stakeholders to resolve breaches.
• Preparing and serving enforcement notices and taking formal action where necessary.
• Representing the Council at appeals, hearings, and in court proceedings.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues in planning, legal, and other departments to achieve compliance.
• Maintaining accurate records and ensuring timely case progression.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• A degree in town planning or a related professional qualification, with eligibility for or progression toward RTPI membership.
• Strong investigative and problem-solving skills, with confidence in making decisions and taking enforcement action.
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities, adaptable to different circumstances, and strong written skills for producing complex planning reports balancing policy and legal considerations.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload of enforcement investigations independently while working collaboratively as part of a broader team and responding to changing priorities.
• In-depth knowledge of the UK planning system, including the Town and Country Planning Act, planning policies, development control processes, and enforcement procedures.
• Awareness of legal frameworks for enforcement, including appeals and prosecutions, and understanding of health and safety requirements for site visits.
• Experience working within a local government planning department or private planning firm.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy in reporting, combined with effective customer relations and customer-care practices.
• Proficiency in IT systems, including Microsoft Office, planning database systems, document management tools and digital measuring software.

Closing Date: Sunday 8th February 2026 (Midnight).

Shortlisting Date: w/c 9th February 2026.

Interview Date: w/c 16th February 2026.

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Better Service Partnership is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.