Planning Compliance Officer (Career Graded)

Job Introduction

The Role

It is an exciting time at North Herts Council within Development Management. The Council has adopted a Local Plan within which are a number of significant major sites, including two significant new neighbourhoods of more than 2,000 homes.

We are looking for a Planning Compliance Officer to join our Planning Enforcement team. Working closely with the Development Management team, the role will predominantly be focussed on enforcement of breaches of planning control. You will undertake site visits, draft formal planning related notices, write reports, and undertake planning related appeals.

You will have, or be about to obtain, a degree in planning or related subject. You may be at the start of your planning career, a recent graduate, or have other relevant experience in enforcement or planning or another related field.

The Experience you will bring

We are looking for someone with a proactive approach and an ability to communicate effectively with members of the public, developers and key stakeholders. As a team player you will have drive and enthusiasm along with a positive attitude to dealing with applicants, councillors and the general public.

In return, you will gain an up to date working knowledge of legislation, policy and best practice relating to enforcement and development management and develop the ability to apply policy creatively on the ground. Experience of working with ICT systems is essential.

You will have great organisational skills which allow for independent working, effective problem solving and timely report writing.

You will be proficient in use of planning specific software and Windows based applications, which you use to extract and analyse information to identify issues, plan solutions, and pursue effective action.

You will have strong written and verbal communication skills in fluent English, enabling you to negotiate solutions where breaches are identified.

You will be confident in working as part of a team, contributing to friendly and knowledgeable team discussions, and able to attend meetings outside of office hours when required.

We would particularly like to encourage applications from females and individuals from an ethnic minority background.

About Us

North Hertfordshire is a large rural district with approximately 125,000 residents with four historic towns, Hitchin, Baldock, Royston and Letchworth Garden City. The Council have four priorities: Thriving Communities, Accessible Services, Responsible Growth and Sustainability. The Council Plan sets out our key priorities and themes for the next five years. The North Herts Values define how we as colleagues work with each other, and we strive to be: Adaptable, Inclusive, Learning, Listening, Together.

Why work with us?

We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in our recruitment practices and in our employment policies. We want our employees to feel safe to express themselves and we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of talents. We are dedicated to promoting a healthy work/life balance, valuing our employees, and enabling them to make a difference to the local community.

At North Herts Council we are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and we guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum requirements for the job.

Please note that all our vacancies require you to live and work in the UK, and selection interviews are face to face in our Letchworth offices or other nearby council sites.

We are changing
North Herts Council (NHC) is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by NHC on 1 April 2028, it is expected that the majority of roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes in local government we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better.

To find out more, visit Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation | North Herts Council

If you would like an informal chat about the post, you can contact Christella Menson, Conservation & Planning Enforcement Team Leader, 01462 474189

Please note, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Hybrid working:Flexibility with homeworking and office-based days

Working pattern: This job is open to flexible working patterns and working hours

Closing Date: Midnight on 9 October 2026

Interviews: Week commencing 26 October 2026