Planning Officer (Enforcement) / Senior Planning Officer (Enforcement) - Portsmouth

Planning Officer (Enforcement) / Senior Planning Officer (Enforcement) - Portsmouth, PO12AL, United Kingdom

Job Category: PlanningRegion / Division: UK RegionLocation: Civic OfficesWorking Hours: 37

We are looking for a Planning Officer Enforcement or a Senior Planning Officer Enforcement to join our service. This is a full time, permanent role based at the Civic Offices, here in Portsmouth.

The Planning Service is a busy service committed to delivering regeneration within the City. Planning enforcement is the process of investigating and resolving possible breaches of planning law.

Your new role

You will play a key role in protecting and improving Portsmouth's built environment by investigating breaches of planning control and ensuring development across the city complies with planning legislation. Working as part of our Planning Enforcement team, you will manage a varied caseload of investigations, carry out site visits, gather evidence, engage with residents and developers, and help secure positive outcomes for communities. For more complex cases, you will use formal enforcement powers and work closely with Legal Services and other partners to achieve compliance. At Senior Planning Officer level, you will also take the lead on high-profile and complex cases, support colleagues and help shape the delivery of the enforcement service.

Who is the person summary:

You will be an enthusiastic, resilient and customer-focused professional who enjoys problem solving and can confidently deal with a wide range of people and challenging situations. You will have excellent investigation, communication and organisational skills, a strong eye for detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.

For the Planning Officer role, you will have a relevant planning, investigative or related qualification (or equivalent experience) and be keen to develop your expertise within planning enforcement. For the Senior Planning Officer role, you will bring significant planning enforcement experience, sound knowledge of relevant legislation and the confidence to lead on complex and sensitive cases, along with a degree in Planning, Investigations, Law or a related discipline. Experience of supporting or mentoring colleagues would be advantageous.

Across both roles, you will be able to work independently and collaboratively, communicate effectively with residents, councillors and stakeholders, and demonstrate a commitment to delivering a high-quality public service. A full driving licence and access to a vehicle is required as you will be required to visit sites across the city.

Whether you're looking to build your career in planning enforcement or take the next step into a more senior role, this is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable city-based experience and help shape Portsmouth's future.

For the full details please review the job profiles for both roles, attached below.

Please indicate on your personal statement which role you wish to apply for.

About Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

As part of Local Government Reorganisation, current plans will see Portsmouth City Council combine with the district and borough councils of Fareham, Gosport and Havant and parts of East Hampshire and Winchester district councils to form a new, larger unitary authority for south east Hampshire.

We are working towards an implementation date of 1st April 2028, known as vesting day, subject to Parliamentary approval. Until then, we remain focused on maintaining continuity, supporting our workforce, and continuing to deliver excellent services to our residents throughout the transition to the new unitary authority.

This is an exciting time to join us, offering the opportunity to contribute to organisational transformation, develop your career, and help shape future services for our communities.

More information about Local Government Reorganisation can be found on our website:

Additional information

Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post. We offer hybrid working with the expectation to attend the office minimum 2 days a week (pro rata for part time), this remains flexible, depending on the role and subject to business needs.

We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.

Our recruitment process

Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal

Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post. We offer hybrid working with the expectation to attend the office minimum 2 days a week (pro rata for part time), this remains flexible, depending on the role and subject to business needs.

In the personal statement, you must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had.If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be shortlisted.

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact or call the recruitment team on .

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council