Skip to main content

The Friday Five 17.08.18

Published on: 17 Aug 2018

A round-up of five of the best, most interesting, significant or unusual jobs on Planner Jobs this week.

1. I AM WHAT I PRAM

What?

Strategy specialist (local plan), Tandridge District Council.

Where?

Oxted, East Surrey.

The job

An 18 month role to help set the strategic direction of the district's emerging local plan up to 2033, prepare documentation ready for submission and get involved in the examination in public.

Tandridge itself contains part of the North Downs and part of the Weald. There are hills, woodlands, open heathland and five main settlements: Warlingham, Caterham, Oxted, Godstone and Lingfield. The district is well-positioned between London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

Fun fact

Oxted is host to a charity pram race held annually. Entrants wear fancy dress and must push a pram around a two-thirds of a mile course, stopping at each of seven pubs en route to down a drink as quickly as they can. The race ends with a party in the high street.

Find out more and apply

2. THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR PLANNING

What?

Planning officer - development management, Northampton Borough Council.

Where?

The splendid Guildhall, bang in the centre of Northampton, Northamptonshire, East Midlands.

The job

Processing planning applications and handling development management matters. You will be responsible for pre-application advice, general planning enquiries, dealing with planning applications and appeals.

One of the largest towns in the UK, Northampton has an estimated population of 225,000 and has benefited from a  series of regeneration schemes over the past decade. In 2015, St Giles Street in the town centre was named Best British High Street by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Fun fact

Northampton was a major centre of shoemaking in the 19th century adn early 20th century and supplied 23 million pairs of boots to the armed forces in World War 1. Many shoe factories survive, as offices and housing. 

Find out more and apply

3. PLANNER IN THE RYE

What?

Planning student, Mid Devon District Council.

Where?

Tiverton, south of Exmoor, home to 21,000 souls and at the confluence of the Rivers Exe and Lowman.

The job

A great opportunity for someone with a ‘can-do’ attitude to work in the planning development management team, supporting the team to undertake surveys, produce and analyse statistics, prepare reports on planning, assist with production of design guides and  preparation of background information for planning appeals.

Tiverton itself is a thriving small town which is taking advantage of its popularity as a home for commuters to Exeter and Taunton.

Fun fact

J D Salinger, publicity-Shy author of The Catcher in the Rye, spent three months in Tiverton waiting for D Day in the spring of 1944.

Find out more and apply

4. A MOORISH OPPORTUNITY

What? 

Planning officer (enforcement and development management), Dartmoor National Park Authority.

Where?

The authority's "stunning" headquarters on the National Trust’s Parke estate on the outskirts of Bovey Tracey.

The job

An enforcement planner to join a small team charged with providing the development management service for the National Park. Expect to be involved in a wide range of enforcement cases, committee work, appeals and applications. Previous experience in enforcement preferred but not essential - they authority will also consider less experienced planners working towards chartered status.

The location is fabulous - a large village on the edge of Dartmoor with more than a hundred listed buildings and offering an adventurous, outdoor lifestyle in a stunning environment.

Fun fact

Bovey Tracey takes part of its name from the de Tracey family, Norman lords of the manor, one of whom  – William de Tracey – was implicated in the murder of archbishop Thomas Becket. He allegedly rebuilt the parish church as penance.

Find out more and apply

5. COME FRIENDLY PLANS AND FALL ON SLOUGH

What?

Planning manager, Slough Borough Council.

Where?

Slough council offices, Berkshire, just over the road from Salt Hill Park, and a mile or two north of Eton College. Yes, that Eton College.

The job

A senior position leading the planning team as it embarks on "unparalleled redevelopment in Slough over the next 10 years, with more than £2.5 billion worth of development and development opportunities". The borough is looking for someone with a strong understanding of regulatory processes, excellent strategic vision and the ability to work well with other senior figures in the council and elected members.

Slough, on the western fringe of London's urban area, is a large and thriving town with the UK's highest concentration of global HQs outside London, low unemployment, the largest industrial in single ownership in Europe and one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the UK. It's been (controversially) undergoing major city centre redevelopment and is going to be on the Crossrail route between Reading and London. 

Fun fact

Famously vilified by Poet John Betjeman as synonymous with the destruction of rural Britain, Slough has been consistently namechecked in popular culture, usually with negative connotations. It appears in songs by The Jam, Marillion and Tiger Lillies, and - famously - on the tv show The Office, where it's depicted as some kind of post-industrial wasteland. Some would argue this is unfair.

Find out more and apply