At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure compliance with planning regulations and manage complex enforcement cases.
- Company: Join Malvern Hills District Council, dedicated to community and environmental sustainability.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, excellent pension, generous leave, and health support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning enforcement and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Office-based role with opportunities for agile working and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 37280 - 40777 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and proactive Senior Planning Enforcement Officer to join our Planning Services team. This is a pivotal role in protecting the quality, character, and sustainability of our local environment by ensuring compliance with planning regulations and taking decisive action against breaches.
As a senior member of the team, you will manage a variety of complex enforcement cases, be customer focussed and engage directly with residents, developers, elected members, and partner agencies and provide high quality planning advice. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives on investigative work, problem-solving, and delivering positive outcomes for the community.
You will prepare cases where formal enforcement action is to be taken (in consultation with the Council’s legal advisors) where breaches of planning control cannot otherwise be resolved. Great communication skills and an ability to engage with a range of stakeholders is therefore essential along with a commitment to delivering an outstanding service to all our customers.
About you
We’re looking for someone who brings both technical expertise and confident decision-making. The ideal candidate will have:
- Demonstrable experience in either Development Management, planning or enforcement practice
- Significant planning enforcement experience of handling complex planning enforcement cases and within tight deadlines
- Relevant experience of representing a Local Planning Authority at appeal hearings and/or Public Inquiries
- Strong knowledge of current planning enforcement legislation, enforcement powers and investigative procedures
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills
- Good IT skills
- Good oral and written communication
- A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for site visits (or ability to meet travel requirements)
What we can offer
Our staff are at the heart of what we do and are key to ensuring we deliver Our Council Plan to make a positive difference to our communities, our economy and our environment. We are always looking to recruit, develop and retain the very best talent we can find. So, as well as a rewarding career, we offer a range of attractive benefits, such as:
- Excellent pension scheme with employer contributions
- Generous annual leave entitlement with options to purchase additional annual leave
- Committed training programme and development opportunities
- Onsite nursery at Pershore Office with 20% staff discount
- Discounted Gym and swim membership
- Health and Wellbeing support and a Free Employee Assistance scheme including access to counselling services
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Employee Discounts with a range of companies including EE and the Kaarp discount scheme
We are an employer that values face to face communication, collaboration and connection, therefore all our roles have an office-based requirement with some agile working as part of the role. The role is required to be based at either the Civic Centre, Pershore or the Council House, Malvern. If you have a preference in your base location, please detail this in your application to be considered (please note, whilst we will try our best to accommodate this, it will be decided upon service requirement).
Please note: Malvern Hills District Council does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.
To discuss the post or for further information, please call Paul Clements, Planning Enforcement Manager, or Seb Ash.
Closing date: Sunday 1 February 2026
Interview date: Friday 13 February 2026
Please note if we experience a high intake of applications, we may close the role and interview for the position sooner than advertised.
Location: Malvern
Senior Planning Enforcement Officer employer: Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils
Contact Detail:
Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planning Enforcement Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the planning enforcement field, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of current planning enforcement legislation and case studies. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex cases in the past and how you can bring that expertise to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your communication skills! Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Remember, this role involves engaging with various stakeholders, so demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively is key.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team and making a positive impact in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planning Enforcement Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in planning enforcement. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves engaging with various stakeholders, it’s crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication abilities. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect this skill.
Highlight Problem-Solving Experience: We’re looking for someone who thrives on investigative work and problem-solving. Share specific examples of complex cases you’ve handled and the positive outcomes you achieved to make your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils
✨Know Your Planning Enforcement Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest planning enforcement legislation and procedures. Being able to discuss specific cases you've handled and how you navigated complex issues will show your expertise and confidence in the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves engaging with a variety of stakeholders, prepare examples that highlight your communication and negotiation skills. Think about times when you resolved conflicts or provided high-quality advice to residents or developers.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific enforcement scenarios. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies, especially under tight deadlines, to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities.
✨Express Your Commitment to Community Outcomes
This position is all about delivering positive outcomes for the community. Be ready to discuss your passion for local environmental issues and how your work can contribute to the Council's goals. Showing that you care about making a difference will resonate well with the interviewers.