The Friday Five 15.03.19
A round-up of five of the best, most interesting, significant or unusual jobs on Planner Jobs this week.
1. TIME TO GO GREEN?
What?
Planning manager (applications and campaigns), Ecological Land Cooperative (2.5 days per week).
Where?
Home-based but with regular visits to the ELC's Brighton HQ, by the station.
The job
"We are looking for someone with an an interest in sustainable food growing and/or low impact development and experience of the planning regime in England and/or Wales. The Planning Manager (Applications and Campaigns) will be responsible for coordinating all the work involved in making planning applications to the local authority for permission to site rural workers' dwellings and farm buildings on the Ecological Land Cooperative's smallholding sites."
The Ecological Land Cooperative (ELC) is a social enterprise that supports rural regeneration by developing affordable sites for farming, forestry and other rural enterprises which are viable and ecologically beneficial. The ELC plans to deliver around 20 smallholdings over the next 3-4 years.
Fun fact
Brighton returned the UK's first Green Party controlled council in 2011 (albeit as a minority lead) and its first Green MP, Caroline Lucas, in 2010. The Green Council lasted until 2015 (it's now a minority Labour council). Lucas, however, remains the city's MP and a prominent spokesperson on environmental matters (and more). The ELC's Brighton HQ shares a building with city's Green Party.
2. YOUR NEXT BIG BREAK
What?
Principal planning officer - development management, Gedling Borough Council, Notts.
Where?
The Civic Centre in Arnold, a purpose-built development in the midst of Arnot Hill Park in Arnold, a market town near Nottingham.
The job
"Responsible for the management of an area team of planning case officers, you will also deal with a caseload of major and complex planning applications. This is a key role in the service reporting directly to the Service Manager – Development Services.
"You need to have experience of managing large scale planning applications, working as part of a team and making effective presentations to elected members and the public."
The borough of Gedlin (pop. 117,000) is within easy reach of both Nottingham and rural Nottinghamshire, and covers a number of suburbs north-east of Nottingham including Arnold, Carlton and part of Mapperley, as well as the rural villages of Calverton, Woodborough, Ravenshead and Newstead.
Fun fact
Arnold was the location of the first act of machine-breaking by the Luddites in the early 19th century. The town has a long association with hosiery and became a centre of the framework knitting industry in the 19th century. It was the site of the first framebreaking incidents of the Luddite riots, on 11 March 1811, when 63 frames were smashed. The riots were a response by 'framework knitters' of 'stockingers' workers to the introduction of machinery that produced cheaper, lower quality goods - reducing pay and allowing unskilled workers to enter their inudstry.
3. DON'T BE COURT OUT
What?
Planning consultant(s), Chapman Lily Planning, a small but growing consultancy in Dorset.
Where?
Based in a business park a short walk from the station (and a longer walk from he town centre) in Wareham in Dorset, on the edge of Dorset AONB.
The job
"Chapman Lily Planning is seeking expressions of interest from planners of all levels to join our expanding team. If you are enthusiastic and can demonstrate versatility and commercial acumen we would be pleased to hear from you – whether you are starting your career or looking for a new challenge.
"The practice is based in Dorset and Hampshire with a varied client base along the south coast and beyond. We can offer you the opportunity to work on a range of exciting projects from land promotion and strategic EIA developments, representing leading retailers, commercial and employment developments to sustainable land use projects and delivering much needed housing."
Wareham is a small market town that can date its history back to the Saxon era - it was one of a number of towns fortified by Alfred the Great in his conflict with the Vikings.
Fun fact
Wareham retains one of the few court leets still remaining in Britain. These feudal courts were run by lords of the manor to run the rule over local trading practice and minor criminal matters. Magistrates gradually replaced court leets and by the 20th century the few that still operated had become ceremonial. Wareham's court leet meets nightly in November at local pubs where, under the supervision of a bailliff, a "quaint band of men" checks the quality of leather goods, weighs a sample of the local bread, tastes and reports on the quality of the ale, and sweeps the pub chimney.
4. THE GIRL FROM SPLOTT (NOT TIGER BAY)
What?
Senior principal planner, Geraint John Planning.
Where?
The Maltings, a business hub in a grade II listed building in Cardiff, Wales – though you may well be working across the UK.
The job
"We are looking for someone with development management experience at senior/principal level. Cases vary from single bespoke architecturally designed dwellings, through to strategic sites. We cover all development sectors, and cover the whole range of the planning system, including: appeals; enforcement; conservation and listed buildings; planning policy promotion; and other planning related procedures. In addition, exposure to clients, finance, and marketing etc. is encouraged and expected at all levels."
Geraint John is a small but growing practice that works across Wales and the UK providing a full range of planning services.
Fun fact
Just around the corner from The Maltings, in the neighbouring suburb of Splott is Portmanmoor Road, where a young Shirley Bassey grew up, in the shadow of a steelworks. Though she's known as 'the girl from Tiger Bay', Tiger Bay is actually a mile to the east. The singer would be more accurately known as 'the girl from Splott'. The steel works has now gone, along with the Bomb and Dagger pub, where, according to one version of the story a young Bassey stood in for her sister Marion who has booked to sing but had a throat infection. Shirley was talent-spotted and started her journey to fame.
5.THIS ONE'S FOR YEW
What?
Regional external affairs officers (x2), The Woodland Trust.
Where?
South West England and South East England,
The job
"Working as part of the External Affairs team, the regional external affairs officer will help to increase the Trust’s influence amongst decision makers. You’ll work with local and central government agencies in order to guarantee that woods and trees are valued in key policies and investment decisions, ensuring they are incorporated into relevant delivery plans.
"You will be committed to the Trust’s aims and possess an understanding of current affairs and political processes in the context of environmental issues. An understanding of England’s planning system would be a bonus."
The Woodland Trust is considered the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity and aims to create, restore and protect woodland, particularly ancient woodland. The Trust owns more than 1,000 woodland sites across the United Kingdom.
Fun fact
The Fortingall Yew in Perthshire, Scotland, is considered to the be the oldest tree in the UK and may be as much as 5,000 years old. Modern expert estimates put the age of the tree at between 2,000 and 3,000 years, although it may be a remnant of a post-Roman Christian site and around 1,500 years old. Others, however, have suggested an age range of 5,000 to 9,000 years., which would make it one of the oldest trees in Europe - although the root system of the Norway spruce Old Tjikko in Sweden is known to be at least 9,500 years old.
Images | Shutterstock, iStock
