The Friday Five 20.10.23
It's The Friday Five, our weekly collection of top planning jobs advertised on Planner Jobs this week. Today we roam far and wide, from Scotland to South Oxfordshire to Mid-Suffolk, Snowdonia and Surrey. And we hear tales of the invention of the Mackintosh, Europe’s longest street fair, Constable's inspiration, the explosive industry of a small Welsh town and a Martian invasion in Woking. Read on!
1. REPORTERS (SELF-EMPLOYED), SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Location: Scotland
The job: "The Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) of the Scottish Government is inviting expressions of interest to join its panel of self-employed reporters. The DPEA is responsible for determining a broad range of planning and environmental appeals on behalf of Scottish Ministers and has a key role to play in the planning system in its examination of development plans.
"The division anticipates a significant increase in its workloads in 2024, especially in relation to renewables and associated proposals; Gatecheck Reviews in relation to the new development plan requirements; and an increase in appeals, primarily in relation to short term lets.
"You will have a professional qualification related to planning, environmental management, architecture, civil engineering or law; be able to demonstrate a detailed knowledge of planning and environmental legislation and policy; and have significant experience, gained in either the private or public sector, of development planning or development management and planning appeals.
"Members of the panel are appointed on a case by case basis. The fee per case varies depending on the type of work. As it is important that reporters are seen to undertake their role in an independent and impartial manner, we would not usually consider applications from those in active professional practice in Scotland, whether in the public or private sector, in case this should give rise to a perceived conflict of interest. Prospective applicants are encouraged to raise any issues about this, or any other issue, with DPEA before deciding whether to submit an application."
Fun fact: Given the rather damp weather at the moment, it seems appropriate to alight on Charles Macintosh, the Glasgow-born inventor of the waterproof raincoat. The Mackintosh (note the alternative spelling) is named after him.
Born in 1766, Macintosh was a keen chemist who dedicated himself to the manufacture of chemicals, a discipline in which he proved extremely adept. It was while experimenting with naphtha (a flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture) that he invented a waterproof rubberised fabric. It was this that formed the basis of the raincoat when sandwiched between two layers of fabric.
Waterproofing garments is, in fact, a very old idea and is known to have been practiced by the Aztecs, who impregnated fabric with latex. Macintosh's experiments provided a modern version that could be manufactured at volume.
The Mackintosh raincoat was first sold in 1824 and was made of a rubberised fabric. The coats proved extremely popular and soon production was spread all over the UK, with the modern Mackintosh style quickly evolving and waterproof coats were rapidly supplied to the Armed Forces, railway workers and the police.
Early versions of the Mac had problems with smells, stiffness and a tendency to melt in hot weather, but improvements solved this problems over the decades. It’s since become iconic, particularly as sported by Audrey Hepburn and the TV detective Columbo (among many others – Humphrey Bogart had a great line in Mackintoshes, too). The Mackintosh continues to be manufactured in Glasgow. Charles Macintosh himself died in 1843.
2. PLANNING OFFICER AND PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL AND VALE OF WHITE HORSE DISTRICT COUNCIL
Location: Abingdon, South Oxfordshire/Hybrid
The jobs: "For both roles, you will be responsible for the effective processing of planning applications in accordance with best practice and local and government targets. The role will also involve appeal and enforcement work and we are looking for people who have previous experience in these areas.
"Main duties for both roles:
- Process planning applications
- Provide advice on planing issues
- Present applications to committee
- Deal with enforcement matters
- Prepare written representations for appeals
- Undertake work for planning policy as required
"Additionally, for the planning and development office role:
- Process a range of planning and associated applications including enforcement work, appeals and policy work, with the ability to work on and assess the proposals independently
- Attend site visits and relevant council committees and forums
- Prepare a range of appeal cases including written representations, hearings and Public Inquiries, managing the process independently and representing the council as a witness when required
- Undertake work for planning policy as and when required
- Undertaking specific projects within the planning service as and when required, including supporting councillor training."
Fun fact: The Abingdon Michaelmas Fair, which takes place annually on the Monday and Tuesday falling before 11 October, is the longest and narrowest street fair in Europe. It runs from Market Place, through the High Street and the entire length of the town’s Ock Street.
Like many annual fairs, the event has its roots in Middle English hiring practices. In this case, the fair’s origins lie in the labour shortage created by the Black Death on 1348-49, which gave workers the power to seek employment beyond their home manors, villages and towns, rather than simply accept what was offered. The fair was basically a hiring fair, where workers and employers would gather to strike bargains and make fixed-term contracts. It was in some ways an early equivalent of today’s employment agencies, in which skilled workers would carry the tools of their trade while unskilled workers would carry a mop. Such fairs were also known as ‘mop fairs’ as a result (and a number of modern fairs still carry this name).
Being such large gatherings, the fairs attracted all of the trappings of a fair and quickly becomes feasts and celebrations in their own right, with dancing, songs, games, drunkenness and ‘immoral’ behaviour becoming characteristics of such events.
The fairs continued long after the labour market settled, as they were such a useful way of matching employers with employees (particularly agricultural workers). Indeed, many continued into the 20th century.
Nowadays, Abingdon fair is very much a modern funfair, with brightly lit rides, food stalls, music, stalls, candy floss and everything else we associated with a modern fair.
3. STRATEGIC PLANNING POLICY OFFICER, BABERGH AND MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCILS
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk/Hybrid
The job: "We are looking for a strategic planning policy officer to join our team in strategic planning. This is a career graded role, offering fantastic opportunities to develop your career within strategic planning.
"The councils have just received the inspector's report for the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan, meaning that Part 1 can be progressed to adoption. We are looking for an individual who is interested in developing and progressing the Joint Local Plan Part 2 through from the initial issues and options stage to adoption.
"The strategic planning policy officer will provide planning policy advice to interested parties, lead in the monitoring and analysis of data to inform the annual monitoring report, and support senior officers in the progress of the joint local plan to adoption.
"You will work collaboratively across the two councils in supporting the development of strategies including infrastructure, as well as working closely with councillors, neighbouring local authorities, Suffolk County Council, and other infrastructure providers. Engagement with the community and supporting the preparation of neighbourhood plans are key aspects of the role."
Fun fact: Babergh and Mid Suffolk is ‘Constable Country’ – so named for its association with John Constable, one of the country’s greatest landscape artists. The area’s bucolic settings inspired the young Constable; they “made me a painter, and I am grateful”, he reflected.
Constable was famous for his ‘six-footers’, large-scale landscape paintings. His most famous painting, The Hay Wain, was voted the second most popular painting in any British gallery by Radio 4 listeners.
Although generally considered one of our finest and most innovative landscape artists, Constable was not particularly financially successful during his lifetime and sold better in France than in his home nation. He was also averse to landscapes other than the ones he grew up with, once asserting that the solitude of the Lake District’s mountainous landscapes oppressed his spirits.
Instead, he drew succour and inspiration from scenes of ordinary daily life – villages, churches, farmhouses, cottages, people going about their business in this rural setting. Such scenes were unfashionable at a time of attraction for wild romantic visions of “sublime” landscapes and ruins. It was only later in life that his skills and vision were truly appreciated.
The area was clearly fertile ground for landscape artists. Thomas Gainsborough, slightly senior to Constable, hailed from Sudbury within the Babergh district. The area’s yawning skies, large open landscapes and picturesque waterways continue to attract landscape artists today.
4. HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT PLANNING OFFICER, SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY
Location: Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd/Hybrid
The job: "As a historic environment planning officer, you will support the protection, conservation and enhancement of Snowdonia National Park’s listed buildings and conservation areas.
"Supporting us to secure the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the national park, you’ll play a key role in the planning process whilst promoting opportunities for public understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the landscape.
"Processing applications for building and conservation area consent as well as other pre-application enquiries, you’ll provide guidance to planning policy officers concerning the historic built environment, townscape matters and the content of planning policies.
"Snowdonia National Park Authority protects the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of Eryri National Park. Covering 823 miles of diverse landscape, the park is home to over 26,000 people, the highest mountain in Wales and the largest natural lake in Wales."
Fun fact: Aside from hosting the Eyrie National Park HQ, the small town of Penrhyndeudraeth (for non-Welsh speakers, that’s pen-rin-DYED-rəth) is best known as the premier UK location for the manufacture of explosives used in munitions and the mining industries.
The first explosives factory in Penrhyndeudraeth was established in 1865 as the Patent Safety Guncotton Company. After several name changes, it blew up, in 1915. This was unfortunate, as the First World War was under way and Britain desperately needed munitions.
The then newly appointed minister for munitions, David Lloyd George, ordered a government requisition of the factory, which led to it being rebuilt to produce munitions. Postwar, production continues, but now pivoted towards the coal mining industry and the production of nitroglycerine (considered safer to handle than the explosives used in weapons of war).
The business survived, and ultimately thrived, despite blowing up again in 1927. The Second World War saw a major expansion in operations as what was now Cooke’s Explosives Company produced 17 million hand grenades between 1939 and 1945.
Postwar, it returned to producing nitroglycerin for mining and blew up again in 1957. Incredibly, the business survived even this, attracted major investment and became the world’s most advanced nitroglycerin factory, now own by ICI. By the 1970s, the Penrhyndeudraeth factory supplied 90 per cent of the explosives for the British coal industry.
But with pit closures and the general decline in mining, the business closed in 1995, after 130 years of making explosive devices and experiencing a few explosions of its own. The site is now a nature reserve notable for its nightjars. The reserve is known as ‘Gwaith Powdwr’ (Powder Works) in homage to its past.
5. SENIOR TOWN PLANNER, PRIVATE CONSULTANCY, WOKING
Location: Woking, Surrey
The job: "An attractive role has arisen to join a leading real estate adviser with more than 160 staff across 11 offices. The ideal candidate will join the regional planning team in Woking, with the option of working from home when desired.
"The successful candidate will have excellent career development opportunities, and be involved in all aspects of planning, working as part of the larger team and leading your own projects. Business development skills are desirable as you will be expected to be an ambassador for the company, developing client relationships and delivering a high level of service.
"To be successful in this role, you will have a proven track record of managing projects across a variety of sectors with excellent regional market knowledge including the wider South East area. You will be able to demonstrate excellent technical knowledge of development management."
Fun fact: No one would have believed, in the last years of the 19th century, that the author HG Wells would up sticks to Woking, where he’d end up writing The War of the Worlds, but so he did. Wells himself pronounced his moving to the Surrey town as “a fairly cheerful adventure” during which he lived “happily and industriously” in a “small resolute semi-detached villa with a minute greenhouse”.
Lovely stuff, but let’s cut to the chase: these Martians in his book (which landed at Horsell Common in Woking) were tripods, right? Famously three-legged machines? Try telling that to the Royal Mint. It marked the 75th anniversary of his death with a £2 coin featuring a tripod with… four legs.
Our view is very much that some may be unnerved by this country’s producer of currency having difficulty differentiating between the numbers three and four.
Coin designer Chris Costello claimed he wanted to create something ‘original and contemporary’. So much better than accurate and in keeping, clearly. For a more accurate rendering of the Martian tripod, take a trip to Woking town centre where a seven-metre tall, shiny metal sculpture of a sinister-looking tripod stands on the edge of the town centre, just a few minutes’ walk from the Herbert Wells, a Wetherspoons pub.
Image credits | Shay Culligan, Shutterstock; Liz Seymour, Shutterstock; Creative Consulting, Shutterstock; Wandee007, Shutterstock; David Peter Robinson, Shutterstock
