Planning Compliance Officer in Manchester

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Additional Payments: Essential Car Allowance

Closing Date: 18th August 2026

Closing time: 11.59pm

Interview Method: Face to Face

Legal Right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.

This role is subject to - 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.

Qualification - Town Planning or Related Qualification (In the absence of a related qualification, the application form will need to evidence the extent of experience needed to undertake the role without the need for significant training).

Driving Licence – you must always hold a full valid driving licence.

Essential Car Documentation - This post is a designated Essential Car User. Therefore, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work. You will receive the Essential Car User Allowance and City Centre car parking.

The Development Compliance Team investigates breaches of planning control, these being building work and changes of use where no planning permission has been granted; although our work is not limited to just those two areas. Through the collection and collation of evidence, together with the examination, processing and evaluation of complaints, you will work as part of a team and contribute to the performance objectives of the Planning service.

You will be required to collect evidence to a standard needed to pursue criminal prosecution, serve enforcement and other related notices, together with presenting evidence as the Council's expert witness at Public Inquiries, Hearings or at the Magistrates Court and higher Courts where necessary.

You will hold a recognised Town Planning qualification or have good knowledge and experience of working in a Development Management or Town Planning enforcement/compliance function, which should be evidenced in your application.

A full driving license and access to a vehicle is essential to be able to undertake the full range of duties involved in this role.

Your ability to handle situations with tact and diplomacy, especially where emotions sometimes run high, together with excellent organisational and administrative skills, will each be key to the achievement and challenge of these roles.

Benefits we offer:

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications.
• A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council:

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process:

Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.

Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme:

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panel's minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programme, please indicate this within the Supporting Statement section of your application.

When You Join Us:

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

What we will need from you if you’re successful:

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy.

Pre-Employment Checks:

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK.
• References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
• Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
• Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive law enforcement systems or information.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance: BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets.
• Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other relevant information:

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.