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The Friday Five 20.09.19

Published on: 20 Sep 2019

A round-up of the best jobs on Planner Jobs this week.

Chichester [square]1. HERE COMES THE SUN 

What?

Principal planning officer (development management), Chichester District Council.

Where?

Purpose built redbrick offices on the edge of the city centre in Chichester, West Sussex.

The job

"We are looking for an experienced and motivated individual to deal with an exciting but complex caseload of planning applications in addition to supporting the manager of a development team in achieving high quality development and excellent customer service.

"Chichester District is a highly attractive place to live and work, home to a number of historic towns and villages, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Centred on the historic cathedral city of Chichester, it is a large rural district stretching from the south coast to the Surrey border and includes a large part of the South Downs National Park and the tranquil Chichester Harbour AONB."

Fun fact

According to Met Office data Chichester is the sunniest city in the UK, enjoying an average of 1920.8 hours of sunshine each year.  Apparently, Plymouth comes in second with an average of 1730.1 hours.

Whether it's actually the sunniest settlement in the UK is debatable, however. Towns such as Bognor Regis, Eastbourne and Hastings also stake a claim to being Britain's sunniest spot - making it clear that this Sussex stretch of the south coast is the place to be if you want some sun.

Find out more and apply

HMS Montagu [square]2. PUT IT ON THE LIST

What?

Historic environment planning adviser, Historic England.

Where?

Historic England's South West regional office, a grade I listed early 18th century town house in Queen Square in central Bristol.

The job

"We are looking for a policy planner to help us to shape and care for the fantastic historic environment of the South West. You will take lead responsibility for providing expert planning policy advice to partners and colleagues, guiding key development plans across the region, including representing us at examinations in public. 

"The region is awash with distinctive heritage, such as 2,000 years of history in Bath, Brunel's engineering heritage running the length of the South West and the legacy of the mining industry that has forged the landscapes of Cornwall. Your informed and persuasive advice will ensure that well-evidenced and robust policies protect these exceptional historic places in development plans and strategies."

Historic England is a non-departmental government body tasked with protecting England's historic environment. Among other things, it's in charge of the listing of buildings and sites of historic significance.

Fun fact

The National Heritage List for England is not confined to buildings, but covers sites of historic interest that are deemed important enough to protect and preserve. Among the most recent listings, for example, are the wreck of the pre-World War I battleship HMS Montagu off the coast of Lundy Island, in the Bristol Channel. 

Launched in 1901, the HMS Montagu was one of the last 19th century 'ironclads' to be built and was soon superseded by turbine powered 'dreadnought' warships. The Montagu grounded on rocks off Lundy in thick fog in 1906, while engaged in secret radio communications trials. The listing also includes the 'Montagu Steps' cut into the cliff to aid the salvage operation.

Find out more and apply

Julius Caesar [square]3. RENDER UNTO CAESAR (OR NOT)

What?

Senior policy planner, Dover District Council.

Where?

Purpose built redbrick offices in a business park on the edge of Dover, Kent.  

The job

"This is a fantastic opportunity for a qualified planner to take their next step into a senior position within a forward thinking, innovative council. You will play a key part in preparing the new local plan and driving forward town regeneration and an ambitions housing strategy into the next generation. This is a creative role that requires ambition, tenacity and passion for the local community working on a range of regeneration and existing projects."

Dover District, centred on the port town of Dover, encompasses three towns (Dover, Deal and Sandwich), as well as numerous smaller settlements. Dover itself is a major ferry port that has been a focus for people and goods entering and leaving Britain since the pre-Roman era. Jut don't tell Dominic Raab. 

Fun fact

Julius Caesar reputedly landed on the beach at Walmer, within Dover District, in 55 and 54 BCE, initally with just two legions and then a full invasion force of 628 ships, five legions 2,000 cavalry.

This first force departed under the twin threats of British attacks and the coming British winter, something to which the Mediterranean soldiers were unaccustomed. The second invasion met stiffer resistance and was similarly inconclusive, the Romans withdrawing completely after a short occupation of parts of the south east. It wasn't until AD43 that a determined invasion took place under the Emperor Claudius, changing British history forever. 

Find out more and apply

Dame Evelyn Glennie [square]4. NOTHING LIKE A DAME

What?

Head of service - planning and environment, Aberdeenshire Council.

Where?

The planning and environment service has local sites throughout Aberdeenshire, but the Council HQ is in the centre of Aberdeen.

The job

"In this pivotal role, you will be leading the planning and environment service of Aberdeenshire Council. Reporting to the director of infrastructure services you will provide leadership for all four elements of planning and environment services, including development planning, development management, historic/natural environment and specialist services 

"We are the largest council in the north of Scotland, with our planning and environment service managing and planning both town and rural development while protecting and enhancing the rich heritage and landscape on offer in Aberdeenshire."

Aberdeenshire covers a large chunk of coastal north east Scotland, excluding Aberdeen itself, and stretches deep into the Cairngorms National Park. It's dotted with small to medium-sized towns, including Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Stonehaven.

Fun fact

Dame Evelyn Glennie, born and raised in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, is considered one of the foremost solo percussionists in the world - despite being profoundly deaf from the age of 12. Glennie 'hears' the music she plays through different parts of her body and often performs barefoot for this purpose. 

The percussionist commissions  work from composers and adds them to her repertoire, performing up to 100 concerts a year across the northern hemisphere. She plays with a wide range of other musicians and orchestras, as well as giving motivational talks and music on schools performances. She once even gave a TED talk titled How to Truly Listen.

Find out more and apply

John Thaw/Inspector Morse [square]5. SORRY, I HAVEN'T A CLUE

What?

Planning enforcement officer, Oxford City Council.

Where?

St Aldate's Chambers, a former telephone exchange built in the 1930s, in Oxford city centre.

The job

"The role will involve taking the appropriate enforcement action where necessary, including dealing with enforcement appeals and attending court proceedings and committee hearings. 

"Planning enforcement is an important function within the planning process in Oxford and our committed team work at the sharp end of planning and development management. Our regulatory services has a strong record of taking a proactive enforcement stance and using their full range of skills in an effective and innovative way to secure improvements for residents in the city."

Oxford needs no introduction - suffice to say, it's one of the UK's most historic cities and absolutely loaded with listed buildings and structures of historic significance. Development is constrained both by its heritage and by the green belt drawn tightly around the city. There's plenty for enforcement officers to do.

Fun fact

Inspector Morse, the fictional detective strongly associated with Oxford, was named after a cryptic crossword setter. Colin Dexter, author of the Morse novels, was himself a crossword setter and ensured that his character shared his passion for cryptic crosswords. Dexter named his character after a rival setter Jeremy Morse, who was at one time chairman of Lloyds Bank and chancellor of the University of Bristol.

Morse's first name, about which he was famously evasive, was Endeavour. Apparently, Dexter used to walk along the bank of the River Thames at Oxford, opposite the boathouse belonging to 22nd Oxford Sea Scout Group; the building is named T.S. Endeavour.

Find out more and apply

Photos | Shutterstock, Royal Navy (HMS Montagu), iStock,