Skip to main content

The Friday Five 02.08.19

Published on: 2 Aug 2019

020819_OldTrafford [square] 1. STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD - 1

What?

Planning and development officer, Trafford Council.

Where?

Modern offices between Old Trafford cricket ground and Old Trafford football ground. In Trafford, Manchester.

The job

"The planning and development service has undergone a major restructure to expand and strengthen the development management function in order to support unprecedented levels of developer interest in the Borough. This has created a number of new roles and offers greater opportunities for career progression. The planning compliance function has been brought back into the Service and with a new focus on a proactive, quality driven approach. As a result, we have a range of exciting opportunities available.

"We welcome applicants with relevant public or private sector experience. In return, we offer the opportunity to work in a busy and friendly development management team on some of the most exciting development proposals within Greater Manchester."

Trafford is a populous, ethnically diverse metropolitan borough to the south east of the city of Manchester and forms part of the Manchester regional centre. It includes the areas Old Trafford, Altrincham and Sale, and is home to Manchester United Football Club, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Altrincham Market and the intu Trafford Centre

Fun fact

When it first opened, Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium could hold around 80,000 people, the vast majority standing. Since the Taylor review obliged football clubs to outlaw standing, and thus cut capacity, the numbers it can hold have returned to something comparable - 74,994 - but now everybody is seated. Apart from at corners. And free kicks. And penalties. And for when you simply have to get up to dispense that crucial piece of invaluable advice to the officials…

Find out more and apply

020819_WilliamKnibb [square]2. STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD - 2

What?

Director - Growth and infrastructure, Kettering Borough Council.

Where?

We're not sure about this one, but we're assuming it'll be at the East Northamptonshire Council offices in Thrapston, a few miles east of Kettering, Northamptonshire.

The job

A newly created post working for three councils across North Northamptonshire, with East Northamptonshire Council as the employer.

"You will be the strategic lead responsible for the promotion and delivery of the growth agenda across North Northamptonshire. You will lead for us on the development of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, on the creation of arc wide plans, on the development of funding packages and growth deals with government and you will work closely with our SEMLEP and the sub regional transport body. You will lead on growth related projects across the area.

"You will also provide strategic oversight of our joint planning policy and delivery team, and of the local planning, building control and local policy teams in each of the three Councils. At East Northamptonshire, you will also have oversight of Environmental Services."

Fun fact

During the 19th century Kettering became something of a magnet for nonconformist protestant Christians, including William Knibb (famous for fighting for the liberation of slaves - pictured above) and Andrew Fuller, who established the Baptist Missionary Society in the Indian subcontinent. (Also, Kettering Town FC’s old Rockingham Road ground was where Wealdstone won the first of the two trophies in the 1984/1985 season that ensured they became the first football club in England to win the non-league double.)

Find out more and apply

020819_Tebbit [square]3. “GET ON YOUR BIKE AND FIND WORK…”

What?

Infrastructure officer (x2), Sustrans Scotland.

Where?

Offices next to Haymarket station in the West End of Edinburgh.

The job

"We are seeking candidates from a range of backgrounds including urban design, landscape architecture, planning, civil engineering, community engagement and behaviour change, amongst others. As part of the team, you will contribute to the delivery of high quality urban realm projects with a focus on people and place across Scotland.

"Joining Sustrans Scotland as an Infrastructure Officer, you will be part of the Places for Everyone team, who support a range of partners to design and develop inspirational projects that restore the balance of Scotland’s streets in favour of people walking, cycling and wheeling."

Sustrans is the national charity that creates walking and cycling routes throughout the UK. The National Cycle Network has more than 16,000 miles of signed paths and routes for walking and cycling.

Fun fact

Cycling is on the up in Scotland, where a 3 per cent increase in cycle journeys was recorded between 2015 and 2016. England has seen a very slight decline in cycle journeys since 2011, but London is becoming increasingly cycle-friendly, last year seeing a 5 per cent year-on-year increase.

Find out more and apply

0819_Southend [square]4. PIER INTO YOUR FUTURE

What?

Policy planning officer, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

Where?

The completely refurbished Southend Civic Centre, opened by the Queen Mum in 1967. In Southend, Essex.

The job

"As the Policy Planning Officer, you will work on a variety of projects linked to delivering the Southend new Local Plan. You will be involved with projects which will truly shape the future of Southend as a place, helping to delivery towards the Southend 2050 ambition. This will include assisting with evidence preparation, planning policy formulation and responding to a wide range of consultations. This may also involve working with neighbouring authorities on several exciting projects in the wider area."

A seaside resort, once very popular with holidaying east Londoners, Southend is a densely populated town and borough that still attracts several million tourists a year, Nowadays around a fifth of its population commutes to London to work.

Fun fact

Southend is home to the world's longest iron pleasure pier, which at just over a mile in length attracts around 320,000 people every year. The world’s actual longest pier is in Progreso, Mexico - at four miles. Like other entertainment piers in the UK, it has suffered its fair share of fire damage over the years, but a Southend without Southend pier is not something most would countenance today.

Find out more and apply

020819_MagicRoundabout [square] 5. TIME FOR JOB, ZEBEDEE

What?

Planning officer (policy), Swindon Borough Council

Where?

Redbrick offices on the edge of the town centre in Swindon, Wilts.

The job

"We are looking to appoint a skilled and highly motivated policy planner to assist in the delivery of the local plan to 2036 and provide support to neighbourhood plans.

"This role provides a great opportunity for a dynamic individual with a ‘can do’ attitude to be part of Swindon’s continuing success story. At the same time you’ll be a team player who enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues across the council, partner organisations and with developers."

Midway between Bristol and Reading, Swindon is a large former railway town which is home to a number of large employers (particularly in vehicle manufacturing, electronics and pharmaceuticals). 

Fun fact

Swindon boasts (?) the infamous ‘magic roundabout’, which is actually five interconnected mini-roundabouts near the centre of the town. Swindon’s fire station is conveniently located here. As well as inspiring a song from England’s most underrated new wave band (XTC - ‘English Roundabout’), it has been declared the worst roundabout in the country despite research suggesting it has succeeded in reducing crashes.

Find out more and apply