The Friday Five 02.11.18
A round-up of five of the best, most interesting, significant or unusual jobs on Planner Jobs this week.
1. ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL
What?
Development management officer, South Downs National Park Authority.
Where?
The South Downs Centre, in a lovely grade II listed building in the centre of Midhurst, West Sussex.
The job
"As a development management officer you will have a case load of householder and other planning applications where the authority delivers the planning service directly. You will travel to the application sites, assess the planning issues and make recommendations to the team leader and on occasion to the planning committee. You will also liaise with a wide variety of consultees inside the authority, including our national park rangers, and external bodies."
The South Downs National Park is Britain's newest national park and covers a substantial area of southern England, from Winchester in the west to Eastbourne in the east. Incorporating the chalk hill of the South Downs (including the white cliffs of Dover) and a substantial part of the western Weald, it encompasses towns and cities, villages, farmland and areas of outstanding natural beauty.
The authority's aims are to conserve and enhance the area's natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area, and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the park’s special qualities.
Fun fact
Midhurst was, until 1985, home to the Midhurst Brickworks, famous for producing "Midhurst White" bricks of sand and lime. The bricks were used in the light wells of Battersea Power Station, at the BBC's Broadcasting House and the headquarters of RIBA. In 2012, the Midhurst Conservation Area draft plan described the bricks as "not attractive".
2. A PLUM POSITION
What?
Trainee planning officer, Wychavon and Malvern Hills District Councils.
Where?
The purpose-built, modern civic centre in downtown Pershore, Worcestershire.
The job
"This is an excellent opportunity for aspiring planners to acquire important skills and experience and build the foundation of a career in planning. Whilst no previous professional planning experience is required, the completion of a course of study leading to professional qualification is a condition of employment."
Pershore itself is a small, elegant market town south east of Worcester and close to both the Cotswolds and the Malvern Hills, both AONBs.
Fun fact
Pershore holds a month long Plum Festival every August to celebrate the local tradition of growing plums. Since famous local varieties include the Pershore Purple and the Pershore Yellow Egg Plum, the town is decked in purple and yellow for the festival, which always includes the crowning of the 'plum princess'.
3. WORSHIP IN WOKING
What?
Development manager, Woking Borough Council, Surrey.
Where?
The early 80s purpose-built civic offices in the centre of Woking, a large and prosperous town of some 100,000 souls.
The job
"We are looking for a qualified planner with a range of experience in local authority work to lead our development management team. You will have excellent communication and report writing skills, as well as a commitment to customer focused services and adding value through planning. You must be able to empathise with citizens, whilst having a mind set which can find solutions to the challenges facing the council."
Woking is undergoing significant town centre regeneration. But the borough as a whole is 60 per cent greenbelt, contains historic villages and is socially and economically diverse. It's also just 25 minutes from London by train and a short cycle ride to the Surrey Hills AONB.
Fun fact
Woking is home to the UK's first purpose-built mosque. The Shah Jahan Mosque was commissioned by Shah Jahan, Begum of Bhopal, one of the four female Muslim rulers of Bhopal who reigned between 1819 and 1926. Built in 1889 by Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner, the mosque is constructed in Bath and Bargate stone in an 'Indo-Saracenic' style.
4. IT'S A PUDDING, NOT A TART
What?
Senior monitoring and enforcement officer (2-year fixed term), Peak District National Park Authority.
Where?
Bakewell, a small market town in the Derbyshire Dales, in the Peak District National Park.
The job
"We are seeking an experienced senior monitoring and enforcement officer. The post-holder will be responsible for investigating complaints of planning breaches and monitoring sites.
"The authority has recently received a prestigious RTPI Award for Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture. We are proud to receive this recognition for our ongoing dedication to our heritage, the built environment and historic landscapes in this vibrant national park. Come and help us to protect and enhance the special qualities of the Peak District National Park."
The Peak District became the UK's first national park in 1951. Though mostly in Derbyshire, it also crosses into five other counties and attracts millions of visitors a year - perhaps because of its proximity to Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Derby and Sheffield. Bakewell is the largest settlement and only town in the national park.
Fun fact
Bakewell is known for the Bakewell pudding, a jam pastry with an egg and ground almond enriched filling allegedly invented by accident in a local hostelry in the early 19th century. The Bakewell pudding is absolutely not to be confused with the Bakewell tart, which is, apparently. a completely different confection. Whatever you do, don't mention Mr Kipling's cherry Bakewells or you'll be run out of town. Incidentally, three shops in Bakewell apparently offer what they each claim is the original Bakewell pudding recipe.
5. MIND YOUR HAIRY HANDS
What?
Building conservation officer, Dartmoor National Park.
Where?
Parke, the National Trust estate in Bovey Tracey, a small town in south Devon on the edge of Dartmoor.
The job
"This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic conservation professional in a historically rich environment. Dartmoor is one of the most important historical landscapes in the country and is home to over 2,500 listed buildings (of which 50 are listed grade I), 25 conservation areas and an unparalleled archaeological landscape.
"You will provide specialist advice on all areas of the authority’s work, including policy development, professional guidance relating to listed buildings and conservation areas and the opportunity to develop and manage projects to conserve and enhance the historic built environment."
Dartmoor itself covers 368 square miles of moorland dotted with peat bogs, tors, granite outcrops and prehistoric landmarks. It's a special area of conservation with a large number of plant and animal species, many of them rare.
Fun fact
The legend of the 'hairy hands' emerged as a result of the high number of motor vehicle accidents on a particular stretch of road in Dartmoor. A number of drivers claimed that their wheel was seized by a pair of ghostly hairy hands that steered their vehicle off the road. Subsequent investigation determined that the likely cause of the accidents was the roads dangerously steep camber. This was amended and the hairy hands were never seen again.
Photos | iStock, Daemonic Kangaroo (white bricks), Warofdreams (Bakewell pudding)
