The Friday Five 22.03.19
A round-up of five of the best, most interesting, significant or unusual jobs on Planner Jobs this week.
1. HILL'S LAW
What?
Assistant planning advisers, National Trust. Two vacancies on a full-time fixed-term contract for two years based in London and South East; one vacancy part-time, fixed-term for two years, based in the East the England.
Where?
Multiple locations in the South East and Bury St Edmunds.
The job
"Under the guidance of our planning advisers, you will be expected to assist on planning matters across much of the region’s portfolio of properties. You will provide support and advice to properties, with a strong focus on heritage and conservation on everything from local planning to development management. You will be able to tackle a wide range of issues, from external proposals affecting listed buildings, protected landscapes and urban green spaces to assisting the National Trust with the planning aspects of conserving and developing the potential of our special places." And more...
You will monitor and assist with responding to Local Plans affecting the Region’s properties as well as any Neighbourhood Plans. Colleagues will look to you for in-depth, up-to-the-minute advice and guidance.
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty (aka simply 'The National Trust') is an independent charity and membership organisation for environmental and heritage conservation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It's the largest membership organisation in the United Kingdom, and one of its biggest landowners.
Fun fact
National Trust co-founder Octavia Hill went from being a copyist for art critic John Ruskin to managing a series of philanthropic housing schemes on his behalf. Renowned for her rigorous (some would say tough) approach, she insisted on closely managing not only the buildings but the tenants, saying "you cannot deal with the people and their houses separately".
Thus she maintained close contact with all her tenants, and opposed government intervention in housing. In her view, "municipal socialism and subsidised housing" led to indiscriminate demolition, re-housing schemes, and the destruction of communities.
2. ALL ABOARD!
What?
Planning development manager, Doncaster Council.
Where?
Smart 21st century offices just outside the town centre.
The job
"We are looking for an experienced development management planner to lead and be part of our strong and supportive team - all of whom work hard towards developing our planning service.
"We are currently involved in many significant large scale developments and regeneration schemes, including the Unity mixed use housing/employment site along with a new M18 Motorway link road at Junction 5, Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster Sheffield Airport expansion, plans for a European PGA Golf Course and a digital visual effects studio at High Melton."
Doncaster is a large town in South Yorkshire, with a borough-wide population of around 308,000. Traditionally prosperous, it's extremely well-connected, on the A1(M) midway between London and Edinburgh and within striking distance of Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester and Nottingham. Thus is has a thriving logistics industry and is home to distribution centres for the likes of Next, Tesco, IKEA, Amazon.com, Lidl and Faberge."
Fun fact
From 1928 until 1963, Doncaster ran a moderately sized sizeable trolleybus service, offering six routes served by 47 trolleybuses. (If you don't know, a trolleybus is a bus powered by an overhead electric cable like a tram). The system was gradually replaced by trams, but efforts to reintroduce trolleybuses in the 1980s looked promising until the government deregulated bus services. The nearby village of Sandtoft in Lincolnshire has a Trolleybus Museum which displays one of the former Doncaster trolleybuses (a Roe-bodied Karrier, if you must know).
3. OVER THE BRIDGE
What?
Senior/principal planning consultant, Smart Planning, a small consultancy based in Essex and East London.
Where?
Smart Planning's HQ, a former Victorian school house in the village of Battlesbridge, between Southend and Chelmsford in Essex.
The job
"Smart Planning is looking for a wise and commercially aware senior/principal planning consultant with the character and experience to manage a broad portfolio of clients within our head office consultant team.
"We encourage diversity within our teams and you will bring a blend of academic ability, relevant experience and the highest standards of client care. Optimism and the ability to provide planning solutions is essential."
A multi-disciplinary consultancy, Smart Planning offers a wide range of planing services, from site appraisals through to applications and appeals, and works across multiple sectors, from agriculture to leisure and tourism.
Fun fact
Battlesbridge, far from being the site of a historic skirmish, is so-called because the bridge over the River Crouch which runs through the hamlet was historically maintained by local aristocrats the Bataille family. Obviously this isn't a local name, but can be traced back to Burgundy in France and probably came over with the Normans. Nowadays, you're most likely to visit Battlesbridge to purchase historic household items - it's a well-known centre for antiques.
4. A PRINCELY CALLING
What?
Planning consultant for " a highly respected environmental, planning and engineering consultancy in their Durham or York office". Recruitment managed by Mattinson Partnership.
Where?
Durham or York - sorry we can't be more specific!
The job
"You'll be providing technical planning advice and analysis on a wide range of projects by working closely alongside project managers and environmental consultants to successfully deliver projects to schedule and budget.
Among other things, you'll be required to:
- Prepare and negotiate renewables and infrastructure planning applications; Maintain an active knowledge of planning policy and guidance on national, regional and local development plans
- Provide advice regarding timescales, amendments and potential changes that may impact clients and/or proposed developments
- Provide planning advice on developments from site finding to discharge of planning conditions including advice on consultation and engagement strategies.
Fun fact
Bishops of Durham have historically held at least two unusual titles (in addition to being Bishop of Durham). Because the founding of Durham is attributed in legend to an act of divine providence that befell monks from nearby Lindisfarne, the Bishops of Durham were known as 'Bishops by divine Providence', as opposed to other bishops, who are 'Bishop by Divine Permission'.
But from 1071 until 1836 they were also known as 'Prince Bishops' on account of them wielding so much power they were said to rival the monarch. Among other things, the Bishops of Durham could hold a Parliament, raise an army, appoint justices, administer their own laws and raise taxes - and plenty more. They're not so endowed these days, though. Pictured is Thomas Morton, Bishop of Durham from 1632-1646.
5. NO END OF AMUSEMENTS
What?
Senior planner, Southend on Sea Borough Council.
Where?
The purpose-built civic centre just outside the town centre, midway between the railway station and the Southend United football ground. The centre was opened by the Queen Mum in 1967 and typifies the civic architecture of the period.
The job
"Southend Borough Council is looking for a senior planner to join its successful development control team. Your role will be processing planning related applications and appeals, including those for the most complex major developments.
"You will also be assisting junior members of staff with their applications and development. You will be dealing with a range of internal and external customers being able to provide them with pre-application advice and guidance."
Southend itself is a populous borough and seaside resort on the north side of the Thames Estuary, 40 miles east of London. Allegedly it's the seventh most densely populated area in the United Kingdom outside of the London Boroughs.
Fun fact
Southend is home to the Kursaal, which opened in 1901 as part of one of the world's first purpose-built amusement parks. Now a grade II listed building with a distinctive dome designed by Campbell Sherrin , it's had an eclectic history. Among other things, the Kursaal (from the German "Cure hall", a spa) has hosted a zoo, an ice rink, a ballroom and a rock music venue where Deep Purple, Queen and AC/DC once performed. It closed in 1986 but we refurbished and reopened in 1998 as a casino and bowling alley.
Photos | iStock, Danny SYPTE (trolleybus), Simon Luttichuijs (Thomas Morton)
