Planning Enforcement Officer

Job profile

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job reference

REQ

Date posted

27/10/2025

Application closing date

10/11/2025

Location

Salary

£36,363 - £37,280

Package

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full time

Attachments

Job description

INTERNAL ONLY

Location: Area Wide

Contract Type: Permanent

About this opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity to join Westmorland and Furness Council's Development Management Service as a Planning Enforcement Officer, helping to protect the integrity and character of our communities through fair and effective planning enforcement.

Our Development Management service plays a crucial role in shaping sustainable growth across the area; ensuring that new development is delivered in line with national and local planning policies. The Planning Enforcement team is central to this work, investigating alleged breaches of planning control, supporting compliance, and helping to maintain public confidence in the planning process.

As a Planning Enforcement Officer, you'll manage a caseload of routine enforcement investigation; such as minor unauthorised developments or breaches of planning conditions, carrying out site inspections, collecting evidence, and preparing reports to support formal enforcement actions where required. You'll work directly with landowners, developers, and residents to resolve issues efficiently and proportionately, helping to deliver positive outcomes and protect local amenity.

This role offers a great opportunity for someone looking to develop or further their career in planning enforcement. You'll gain experience working across a diverse range of cases, supported by senior colleagues who will help you build your technical knowledge and professional confidence within a collaborative and supportive team.

Who we are looking for…

We're looking for a motivated, organised, and proactive individual who is passionate about good planning and community protection. You'll have (or be working towards) a degree in Town Planning, Geography, or a related field, or possess equivalent experience in a regulatory, investigative, or compliance role.

You'll also bring:

• A developing understanding of UK planning and enforcement legislation, with enthusiasm to continue learning and growing your expertise.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage confidently with a range of people, including residents, developers, and councillors, often in challenging situations.
• Good analytical and problem-solving abilities, with attention to detail and sound judgement.
• The ability to manage your own caseload effectively while working collaboratively as part of a supportive team.

If you're looking for a rewarding role where your work directly contributes to protecting the built and natural environment of Westmorland and Furness, we'd love to hear from you.

What can we offer you

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers )

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

• Post Specification
• Role Profile

If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Gareth Candlin (Assistant Director of Inclusive and Green Growth) via email on to arrange an informal conversation.

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 10th November 2025

We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.

Westmorland and Furness Council are now able to offer sponsorship for Skilled Worker Visa applications for eligible roles. Please note, we cannot guarantee the eligibility of all of our roles, therefore, if you would like more information on roles that may be eligible please visit the government website - Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes - GOV.UK.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.

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