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Friday Five 27.07.18

Published on: 27 Jul 2018

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

Torquay [square]1.MAKING CONNECTIONS ON THE ENGLISH RIVIERA

What?

Assistant director of planning and transport, Torbay Council

Where?

Torbay town hall, a handsome example of early 20th century municipal architecture, and a hop and a skip from the centre of Torquay, aka the English Riviera.

What’s great about this job? 

These are interesting times for a transport planner working across the three towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. They're in the midst of town centre regeneration, and the unrolling of a five-year plan to sharpen the region's focus on sustainable transport, active travel and outward connections. It's also a key leadership role within the council  – you'll take a leading part in shaping the 'English Riviera' for the next generation.

Fun fact

19th century explorer, geographer, translator, writer, soldier, orientalist, cartographer, ethnologist, spy, linguist, poet, fencer, and diplomat (phew!) Richard Francis Burton was born in Torquay. Burton spoke 29 languages, translated the Kama Sutra and once entered Mecca in disguise at a time when Europeans would have been killed on sight in the city. Read up on him here.

Find out more and apply

2. SADDLE UP!

What?

2x planning officers, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

Where?

Epsom Town Hall, Epsom, a market town of some 30,000 souls and a few pedal strokes from cycling mecca Box Hill

What’s great about these jobs?

These are broad roles that address most elements of a local authority planner's brief, within a growing team. Epsom itself is also considered by some to be one of most liveable places in the UK. It's home to the Epsom Derby,  has 18 parks, neighbours the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and has good transport links to both Brighton and the south coast.

Fun fact

Once a spa town (think Epsom Salts), Epsom has long been associated with physical and mental health. At one time it was noted as the location of a group of five large Edwardian psychiatric hospitals, commonly known as the Epsom Cluster. Most closed in the 1990s.

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Geese [square]3. OLD MEETS NEW ON THE ROAD TO THE SOUTH WEST

What?

Principal planning project officer, development management (x2) Winchester City Council

Where?

Winchester, the capital of Anglo Saxon England 

What’s great about this job?

It's handling major applications in one the most historically sensitive cities in the UK - Winchester retains many reminders of its Roman, Saxon and Norman roots. What's more, it borders the South Downs National Park (so ecologically sensitive, too) and it's located on the strategically important M3 between London and Southampton. There's plenty of regeneration going on, and more significant projects than you can shake a (Saxon) shield at.

Fun fact

Winchester Geese were neither from Winchester, and nor were they geese. Rather they were prostitutes operating in brothels within the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Winchester's Palace on the south bank of the Thames in London. Far from being displeased by the presence of these bawdy houses, the  bishop licensed and taxed them, earning a pretty penny in the process.

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Sports car [square]4. BE A HIGHWAY STAR

What?

Head of planning, Highways England

Where?

The Highways England base on the edge of Bedford in Bedfordshire

What’s great about this job?

If you're a transport planner, this could be a job to die for. Essentially, you'll be leading the team that plans major projects for England's main highways body, and managing the processes for preparing and delivering a slew of major projects. That'll just be small things like the lower Thames Crossing, the A303 Stonehenge scheme and the like. Doddle, right?

Fun fact

The earliest evidence of engineered roads in Britain dates back to the 1st century BC. A metalled and cambered road, 1.5 metres high and six metres wide, was unearthed at Bayston Hill quarry, near Shrewsbury.

Find out more and apply

Carole Decker of T'Pau [square]5. GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF HEART AND SOUL

What?

Planning policy specialist, Telford and Wrekin Council

Where?

The civic offices in downtown Telford, the Shropshire new town pitched midway between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury

What’s great about this job?

Working within the council's in-house consultancy, you'll be taking a big role in preparing and implementing the development plan for a fast-growing borough. Telford itself is an interesting place - a new town that's undergoing extensive town centre remodelling, with a young population and relatively high levels of income deprivation. There's much to get stuck into.

Fun fact

80s popsters T'Pau (A little bit of heart and soul, China in your hand) came from Telford and nearby Shrewsbury. The band took their name from a Vulcan elder in Star Trek. Aptly, the Telford International Centre hosted a Star Trek convention in 2017.

Find out more and apply

Photos | Shutterstock, iStock