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The Friday Five 01.02.19

Published on: 1 Feb 2019

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

The Rolling Stones [square]1. STREET FIGHTIN' PLAN

What?

Graduate assistant planner, Blackpool Council.

Where?

Large, modern offices in Blackpool town centre, next door to Sainsbury's and straight up the road from the pier.

The job

"The planning strategy team is seeking a talented graduate assistant planner who is passionate and committed to addressing the challenging regeneration issues facing the resort. Key responsibilities will involve the monitoring of data and supporting senior officers in developing the Blackpool Local Plan Part 2: Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Document."

Blackpool, on the Fylde coast in Lancashire, continues to be Britain's most popular seaside resort, attracting around around 10 million visitors a year. But it's also the main retail, public administration, cultural and service centre for the Fylde Coast, supporting a population of around 326,000 - though Blackpool itself has a population of around 140,000.

Fun fact

Infamously, in 1964 Blackpool indefinitely banned the Rolling Stones from performing in the town after audience members rioted in response to the band's "suggestive" performance at the town's Empress Ballroom. The ban remained for 44 years, finally being lifted in March 2008. Funnily enough, the Rolling Stones have not played Blackpool since the end of the ban.

Find out more and apply

Temperance poster [square]2. BEWARE THE DEMON DRINK

What?

Senior planning officer (development management), Preston City Council.

Where?

The handsome and imposing 1930s Town Hall in central Preston, Lancashire (which has figures on its facade representing health, education and trade).

The job

"As senior planning officer, you will deal with a wide range of planning applications, including major planning applications, across the city, covering numerous and often complex planning issues. The role will require you to have extensive knowledge and experience of the planning system as well as current planning legislation, policies and procedures."

The city of Preston itself (population 123,000) is the administrative centre of Lancashire. An Industrial Revolution boomtown, its fortunes have waxed and waned, but it's currently looking up, for two reasons: 1) It's part of the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal. 2) It reinvented its growth model following the collapse of a regeneration plan in 2011. The city has since focused on public investment and both private and public sector procurement from local suppliers to build a resilient local economy. It's been so successful that other councils are asking them how to do it.

Fun fact

In 1832, Preston cloth manufacturer Joesph Livesey, along with six companions, signed a pledge to abstain from all forms of intoxicating liquor. In forming the Preston Temperance Society, they pioneered the Temperance Movement in the 19th century. Some people feel the word 'teetotal' was coined at one of its meetings when member Richard Turner declared: ""I'll be reet down out-and-out t-t-total for ever and ever."

Find out more and apply

Newspapers [square]3. ROLL UP! ROLL UP!

What?

Conservation officer, Worcester City Council.

Where?

The extremely handsome, grade I listed 18th century Guildhall in central Worcester, Worcestershire.

The job

"The historic city of Worcester has over 1,000 listed buildings and 18 conservation areas. A principal duty of the post is to undertake appraisals of the conservation areas, with the historic city forming part of the forward programme. Worcester City Council publishes a local Heritage at Risk register annually, and you will be responsible for maintaining this and seeking solutions to assets on the register. Worcester City Council also maintains a Local List of heritage assets and you will work to develop this. You will also have a limited caseload of listed building consent applications."

Worcester is a small, deeply historic city of around 100,000 inhabitants, with a rich built heritage that includes a 12th Century Cathedral, and a Guildhall admired by monarchs from King George III to Queen Elizabeth II. It was also the site of the English Civil War’s last battle.

Fun fact

Local newspaper Berrow's Worcester Journal is reputedly the world's oldest continuously published newspaper. claimed to be the world's oldest newspaper. It was founded in 1690 as the Worcester Post-Man, changed its name to the Worcester Journal and finally Berrow's Worcester Journal from 1753. It was so called after its owner, the Berrow family, who wanted to distinguish it from a competitor. Nowadays the paper is owned by Newsquest and is published weekly, and given away free.

Find out more and apply

Swan Theatre [square]4. THE PLAN'S THE THING

What?

Principal planner (development management - major development), Knowsley Council.

Where?

Large offices in central Huyton, Merseyside.

The job

"The post holder will be primarily responsible for ensuring the delivery of high quality development and infrastructure, and preserving the amenity of existing residents and businesses from the impact of proposed development. Main duties will involve the timely, proper, sensitive and effective processing of planning applications, including pre-application negotiations, post-determination work and defending the council’s case at appeal.

"We have a substantial list of pipeline schemes for housing, transport and economic development, including several high-profile projects such as the new Shakespeare North Playhouse and the nationally-recognised Halsnead Garden Village."

Part of the wider Liverpool City region, the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley is east of Liverpool and comprises several towns, including Huyton, Kirkby and Prescot. Total population is approaching 150,000.

Fun fact

Prescot was once home to the Prescot Playhouse, an Elizabethan theatre that operated from 1595-1609 and is thought to have been one of the very few freestanding theatres outside London at the time. the Playhouse is now the inspiration behind the Shakespeare North project to build a Shakespearean complex in Prescot - which will include a new Playhouse for the performance of Shakespeare plays.

Find out more and apply

Westminster tube station  [square]5. MIND THE GAP!

What?

Planning officer, Westminster City Council.

Where?

Eventually, the newly refurbished Westminster City Hall (probably). Completion of work at the the 22-storey building in Victoria is scheduled for early 2019.

The job

"You will support the planning enforcement team in their endeavours to resolve breaches of planning control relating to properties that have been unlawfully let-out short-term. Conducting site visits, you will investigate the circumstances and conduct research and interviews, ultimately initiating procedures for enforcement action if appropriate. 

"On a day-to-day basis, we enjoy supporting the political, commercial, social and tourist heart of London. With our remit stretching from the creative delights of Covent Garden to the grandeur of Knightsbridge and Mayfair, we are a local authority with a difference."

Once a city in its own right, Westminster is now fully part of central London and contains many of the city's most historic landmarks, including the Palace of Westminster and Buckingham Palace. Its population of almost 250,000 lives in some of the most and least deprived areas of London, and it has the  highest rate of private rented social housing in the capital.

Fun fact

The City of Westminster's 32 London Underground stations are served by every tube line - bar one: the Waterloo and City Line. This, built to transport city workers quickly from destinations south of the capital, runs for a single stop from Waterloo Station to Bank, and isn't even open on Sundays.

Find out more and apply

Photos | Shutterstock, iStock,  Library of Congress (temperance),  Utrecht University Library (theatre)