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The Friday Five 01.03.19

Published on: 1 Mar 2019

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

Alfred Nobel [square]1. A NOBEL OCCUPATION

What?

Reporter, Scottish Government.

Where?

Mainly from home, but otherwise at the Scottish Government's Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) in Callendar Park just outside Falkirk, central Scotland.

The job

"DPEA is responsible for determining a broad range of planning and environmental appeals on behalf of Scottish Ministers. DPEA regularly deals with cases concerning high profile housing or major infrastructure projects; on shore wind farms and other generating stations; examination of local development plans; roads, compulsory and other orders.

"The successful candidates will be expected to undertake the full range of DPEA casework, including conducting site inspections, holding inquiries and hearings and ensuring that casework processing targets are met; determining delegated planning and environmental appeals on behalf of Scottish Ministers; preparing reports and recommendations to Scottish Ministers under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and other legislation; and examining local development plans."

Falkirk itself is a medium-sized town of some 35,000 at the junction of the Forth and Clyde and Union Canals in the central lowlands of Scotland, a location which proved key to its growth as a centre of heavy industry during the Industrial Revolution.

Fun fact

Alfred Nobel (pictured, of Nobel Prize fame) once had a detonator factory in Falkirk. The chemist and engineer made his name and fortune from explosives and after forming a business and personal relationship with Falkirk chemicals manufacturer George McRoberts, he relocated his detonator factory to the Redding area of the town. Nobel lived in Hawthorn Cottage in the Laurieston district for several years.

Find out more and apply

Hellfire Caves [square]2. TO HELL AND BACK

What?

Two roles: new business manager (new land development) and land manager, Paradigm Housing Group.

Where?

A modern office in a business park next to the River Wye south east of High Wycombe, Bucks.

The job

"Paradigm Housing Group seeks to build 600 new homes every year, the majority for people who might not be able to afford to buy on the open market, either for them to rent or purchase a share in their home.

Opportunities are available - in different roles with similar skillsets - within the business's Land & Planning Team and a New Business Team. Each is tasked with buying approx. 300 plots each.

The new business manager, for example, will work with the team responsible for securing S106 opportunities and land with build packages where suitable planning consent has already been granted. The successful candidate will carry out financial appraisals and viability assessments across different tenure mixes, making competitive bids and tenures. Further to this, they will be responsible for securing new opportunities, leading projects from inception to pre-start on site and managing all pre-contract development processes.

Paradigm describes itself as one of the South East’s leading housing providers, with more than 14,000 homes across 33 local authorities.

Fun fact

West Wycombe is the location of the Hellfire Caves, a network of man-made caverns which became the home of the notorious Hellfire Club. This 18th century secret society, founded by aristocrat Francis Dashwood, was a centre of paganism and debauchery for the more disreputable members of society. According to Wikipedia, "Dashwood's club meetings often included mock rituals, pornographic materials, much drinking, wenching and banqueting". The club lasted only a few years before being disbanded, thought its notoriety has proved  long-lasting.

Find out more and apply

St Ethelbert Gate, Norwich [square]3. DON'T GET CUT OFF

What?

Planner/Senior planner, in the land team at Persimmon Homes Anglia.

Where?

A business park on the eastern edge of Norwich, Norfolk.

The job

"Our team of planners undertakes the majority of the project work in-house from identifying new development opportunities and local plan promotion through to securing planning permission for residential led developments of varying scales and complexity.

"Responsibilities could include writing local plan representations and supporting planning application documents such as design and access statements, project managing consultants and design teams, negotiating with landowners, local authorities and statutory consultees, organising consultation events and presenting at Local Plan examinations and appeals."

Norwich  is a small city in Norfolk, with a population of around 140,000 (oer 213,000 for the wider urban area). Reputedly founded in 43 CE and with a long history as commercial centre, it's considered the most complete Medieval city in the UK.

Fun fact

Norwich has the distinction of being the only EnglIsh city ever to be excommunicated by the Catholic Church. This unfortunate event occurred in 1274 following three days of rioting at the culmination of a lengthy dispute between townspeople and monks associated with the city's cathedral. Allegedly, the monks were claiming they were not subject to the city's laws. Citizens protested. Monks killed some citizens and hired mercenaries who killed others. Citizens rioted, damaging the cathedral and its entrance gate in the process. The Pope excommunicated the city and ordered the citizens to rebuild the destroyed St Ethelbert Gate (pictured) in penance.

Find out more and apply

4. STUCK IN THE MIDDLE

What?

Director (environment and planning), Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

Where?

The Hinckley Hub, a modern office just outside the town centre in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

The job

"Reporting to the chief executive, this role offers an exciting opportunity to be part of our energetic strategic leadership team, directing and leading a directorate of circa 175 employees in planning and development, environmental health and street scene services.

"As director for environment and planning you will have an influential role in shaping the strategic development and delivery of these services for future generations. You will have a great opportunity to drive forward our ambitious strategic growth agenda as well as collaborating on recently adopted plans and strategies across the authority."

Fun fact

Lindley Hall Farm, near Fenny Drayton within the Hinckley and Bosworth district, is the geographical centre of England, according to an Ordnance Survey analysis in 2002.  A plaque denoting this point was erected by Ordnance Survey in 2013.

Find out more and apply

Oxford's dreaming spires [square]5. THOSE DREAMING SPIRES

What?

Senior/associate planner, mutli-disciplinary consultancy, Oxfordshire (recruitment managed by Mattinson Partnership).

Where?

Somewhere in Oxfordshire (location unspecified)...

The job

"A growing consultancy (170 strong) is expanding its planning division and seeks a senior /associate town planner to work across a variety of projects, ultimately growing a team to lead.

"A multidisciplinary practice working across property, planning and environmental services, you'll advise clients on utility projects and the best use/developments for sites. You'll be tasked with taking their projects forwards with the property team and ensure planning permission is granted for the variety of developments advised upon. Within 6-12 months you'll be expected to look to grow the business and a team to manage in your Oxfordshire office."

Fun fact

Oxfordshire's county town Oxford is often referred to, by those of a literary bent, as "the city of dreaming spires", after a phrase first used by the Victorian poet Matthew Arnold in a lengthy (and wordy) lament for fellow poet Arthur Hugh Clough.

More modern readers might be familiar with the phrase from the 1967 Small Faces song Itchycoo Park, a psychedelic track that may or may not have been about getting stoned (or merely drunk - depending on who you believe) in a park in Ilford that was known as Itchycoo Park because of its beds of stinging nettles. Allegedly.

Find out more and apply

Photos | Shutterstock, Neil Rickards (Hellfire Caves),