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The Friday Five 07.09.18

Published on: 7 Sep 2018

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

Eddie Cochran [square]1. IT'S ONLY ROCK'N'ROLL BUT YOU'LL LIKE IT

What?

Principal or associate planning consultant for LP Planning

Where?

Chippenham, Wiltshire, a mid-sized  market town close to the Cotswolds AONB, and a commuter base for Bristol, Bath, Swindon and even London. 

The job

“The successful candidate will work with a range of clients who are primarily based in Wiltshire and the South West. Our projects include small scale residential, commercial, agricultural, community and equestrian projects... There will also be scope to input into the direction of the business and to influence its future growth.”

Chippenham itself is an attractive, historic town, close to the Cotswolds AONB, Marlborough Downs and Salisbury Plain. It's within spitting distance of the M4 motorway and just 20 miles from Bristol.

(Not so) Fun fact

On 17 April 1960, American rock'n'rollers Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent, along with songwriter Sharon Sheeley, were in a car crash in Chippenham. Cochran died as a result of his injuries. The town now hosts an Eddie Cochran festival every year.

Find out more and apply 

Lawnmower racing [square]2. MOWTIVATION REQUIRED

What? 

Planner, South Downs Society

Where?

Pulborough, a large village near Horsham in West Sussex.

The job

This part-time role is ideal for someone who wants to work in the area of protection and preservation of countryside and environment - the South Downs Society is a charity that promotes the beauty of the South Downs, a range of chalk hills that extends across the southern coastal counties of England.

The Society comments on planning applications, responds to new planning issues and aims to promote the best planning results for the area. You'll be developing planning policy and managing the Society's response to planning issues.

Fun fact

Pulborough is home to a unique and quirky annual endurance sporting event - the British Lawnmower Racing Association's 12-hour Lawnmower Race. Not much grass gets cut, mind.

Find out more and apply

Antiques fair [square]3. STRIKE A BARGAIN

What?

Planner (policy), Newark and Sherwood District Council

Where?

Newark-on-Trent, a mid-sized market town in Nottinghamshire, East Mids.

The job

"Newark and  Sherwood District Council is a dynamic planning authority, with a programme to deliver growth in the context of a fantastic historic and natural environment. You will be involved in a range of projects including the review of the Allocations & Development Management DPD, development of SPDs, supporting neighbourhood plans and regeneration projects."

Newark itself is an historic town sited 20 miles from Nottingham on the River Trent at the intersection of the Great North Road and the Fosse Way. It's also on the East Coast Main Line. It's growth has come out of its connectivity and the town has become a centre for manufacturing and distribution, being home to British Sugar and Currys national distribution centre.

Fun fact

Newark is also a centre for the antiques trade: the Newark International Antiques & Collectors Fair, held bi-monthly at Newark Showground since 1985, is the biggest antiques fair in Europe.

Find out more and apply

Sir Edward Elgar [square]4. PLAN OF HOPE AND GLORY

What?

Area planning officer, Malvern Hills District Council (12 months maternity cover)

Where?

The council offices, close to the heart of historic Malvern, a spa town in Worcestershire.

The job
"The role involves working on a range of minor and major planning applications, appeals and pre-application enquiries" in a "small but busy" team in a "small but progressive local authority" that is balancing housing and employment growth with protection of a significant natural and historical environment. It's maternity cover, so a 12 month contract.

Malvern itself is an historic spa town with 21 conservation areas and 1,900 listed buildings, sited at the foot of the Malvern Hills. It's close to the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean, and has and easy access to Worcester, Birmingham and Gloucester.

Fun fact

The first ever performance of Pomp and Circumstance, to which the words of Land of Hope and Glory were later set, took place at the Wyche School in the town. Its composer, Sir Edward Elgar, a resident of Malvern , was in attendance.

Find out more and apply

Brent Goose [square]5. GEESY DOES IT

What?

Planning officer, Chichester Harbour Conservancy

Where?

Chichester Harbour, but based at Itchenor near Chichester in West Sussex, a pretty sailing village on the eastern shore of the harbour.

The job

A job for an early career professional en route to chartered status, this is also ideal for a conservation-minded planner. RTPI member. Chichester Harbour Conservancy is one of the few remaining undeveloped coastal areas in Southern England and remains relatively wild and the conservancy runs it as a nature reserve. It's both a major wildlife haven and one of the Britain's most popular sailing sites, with some 14 clubs based there.

So the role will involve balancing nature and recreation in a sensitive way: "Planning control is a vital way in which the natural and cultural environment of Chichester Harbour is looked after".

Working with the principal planning officer, "you will gain experience of working with members and elected officials and will be fully supported on your route to full Charted Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)". Sounds ideal.

Fun fact

More than 7,500 Brent geese overwinter on the intertidal mud-land and adjacent farmland at Chichester Harbour, and more than 50,000 birds reside in or visit the Harbour throughout the year.

Find out more and apply

Photos | Liberty Records (Eddie Cochran) | Shutterstock | iStock