Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Investigate planning complaints and monitor permissions to ensure community safety.
- Company: Join South Gloucestershire Council, dedicated to building vibrant communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid work, generous leave, and exclusive staff discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning enforcement and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Part-time and full-time options available; travel required for site visits.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Planning Enforcement Investigator role at South Gloucestershire Council.
2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
How You\’ll Make a Difference
As a Planning Enforcement Investigator, you will help make South Gloucestershire a safe place to live, visit, and work in. Working as part of a team, you will play a key role in contributing towards a high-quality built environment for the enjoyment of all residents and visitors.
What You Will Be Doing
- Working as part of the team responsible for the carrying out of investigations against complaints regarding alleged breaches of planning control, monitoring the implementation of planning permissions and responding to planning enforcement related enquiries.
- You will establish and understand the relevant site history and planning constraints and collate evidence from complainants, alleged offenders and other interested parties.
- It will be your responsibility to analyse investigations in planning terms and assess the facts of the case and compliance with the planning system.
- Communicating effectively with a range of internal and external individuals, you will represent the Planning Enforcement Service and South Gloucestershire Council in delivering a high-quality service, demonstrating the council\’s core values.
What We Need From You
- We require you to have experience of working within planning or undertaking investigations. Ideally, you will understand planning enforcement legislation and policy and have used scaled drawings and maps.
- Given the elements of the role, you will be a confident user of computer systems, it would be advantageous to have experience with uniform, IDOX and PowerBI.
- You must have strong communication skills, both in conversation and in writing and can use diplomacy and decisiveness during difficult conversations.
- It is essential that you are organised as you will have an assigned workload and will be required to achieve set deadlines.
- Whilst it is expected that your role will mostly be carried out from your home or office, it is vital that you have the confidence and are competent to carry out lone‑working site visits.
- You will need clear organisation skills and relevant software competency to manage a varied caseload with targeted response times.
What You Need To Know
- You may be expected to travel throughout the authority you must have a full, valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle or have an alternative means of travel.
- This role is hybrid, with a mixture of working at our office in Yate, working in the community, and working from home.
Interviews will be held week commencing 12th January 2026.
How a Career At South Gloucestershire Council Is Different
- As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.
- We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
- We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long‑term difference in work.
- We trust our team to work in the way which allows them to make the biggest difference, and we continue to invest in technology to help staff do their jobs to the best of their ability and celebrate innovation.
Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.
- We\’re building and shaping communities which people are proud of.
- We\’re planning for the future; building and improving the roads, railways, schools, green spaces, and houses.
- We’re providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained.
We\’ve achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.
We’re making a difference, be part of it!
To view the full job description, please click this link: Planning Enforcement Investigator job description1
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other, Information Technology, and Management
Industries
Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Planning Enforcement Investigator employer: South Gloucestershire Council
Contact Detail:
South Gloucestershire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Enforcement Investigator
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local planning enforcement legislation and policies. Understanding the specific regulations in South Gloucestershire will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the planning enforcement field. Attend local council meetings or community forums to meet people already working in this area, which can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for site visits by practising how to gather evidence effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or colleagues to enhance your confidence in interviewing complainants and alleged offenders.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your communication skills by engaging in community discussions or volunteering for local initiatives. This will not only improve your ability to handle difficult situations but also highlight your dedication to community service.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Enforcement Investigator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Planning Enforcement Investigator. Familiarise yourself with the job description and think about how your skills and experiences align with the requirements.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in planning or enforcement services. Emphasise your communication skills, organisational abilities, and any specific knowledge of planning legislation that would be beneficial for this role.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the impact you hope to make at South Gloucestershire Council. Mention specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your investigative skills and ability to handle complex situations.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your writing is clear and professional. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and commitment to quality.
How to prepare for a job interview at South Gloucestershire Council
✨Understand Planning Enforcement Legislation
Make sure you have a solid grasp of planning enforcement legislation and policy. Brush up on relevant laws and regulations, as this knowledge will be crucial during your interview when discussing how you would handle specific scenarios.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since the role involves interacting with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in challenging situations, showcasing your diplomacy and decisiveness.
✨Prepare for Site Visit Scenarios
As the job requires conducting site visits, think about how you would approach these investigations. Be ready to discuss your methods for gathering evidence and how you would handle potential conflicts or difficult conversations during these visits.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
The role demands strong organisational abilities to manage an assigned workload. Prepare to discuss how you prioritise tasks and meet deadlines, perhaps by sharing past experiences where your organisation made a significant difference in your work.
