The Friday Five 5.07.2019
Five of the best jobs on Planner Jobs this week.
1. TIME TO BRANCH OUT?
What?
Development management service manager for Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.
Where?
Welwyn in Hertfordshire, at Welwyn Hatfield’s Borough Council building - at the heart of this garden city.
The job
“You will manage and lead our development management service, to include the provision of pre-application advice, the determination of planning applications and the resolution of breaches of planning control through negotiation and enforcement action. This is a challenging and rewarding post, as you will be expected to lead this part of the planning service through its continued development and make a significant contribution to the future shape of this borough.
“Welwyn Hatfield is focused on the two new towns of Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City but also encompasses a significant rural area all of which is designated as green belt. There are pressures and opportunities for major development within the main towns and urban extensions to towns and villages proposed in the local plan, which is currently at examination stage. These are just some of the exciting challenges that the planning department faces over the next few years and this post will have a key role to play in delivering these major projects."
Fun fact
Although the village Old Welwyn and Welwyn Garden City are similar in location and name, there is still a distinct division between the two. Welwyn is sometimes called Old Welwyn to distinguish it apart from the much newer settlement of Welwyn Garden City. Some residents dislike the suggestion of inferiority that tends to be implied by ‘Old’ and prefer to call it Welwyn Village. While the village is said to have existed from when it was founded as a Roman settlement, Welwyn Garden City is somewhat younger having been developed in 1920 as the second garden city in England (and one of the first new towns, designated as such in 1948).
2. PUT YOUR STAMP ON IT
What?
Town planner / planning consultant for NPS Group in partnership with Norfolk County Council.
Where?
Nautilus House in Norwich, a short walk from the beautiful River Yare.
The job
“NPS Property Consultants works in partnership with Norfolk County Council, supplying expertise across property maintenance and consultancy services. The business supports a growing number of public and private sector clients across East Anglia, as is dedicated to provide professional service across all of our disciplines.
“Alongside providing subject matter expertise across specific planning needs, development and design, you will be accountable for:
- Providing development and planning advice to our clients
- Proposing new ways to maximise the potential value of existing sites
- Managing planning and development scheme through the planning process with our clients
- Undertaking development appraisals of lands and buildings, and presenting recommendations to clients on best value.”
Fun fact
There are around 1.8 million unit postcodes in use across the United Kingdom today, but do you know where the first one was used? Well, they were first rolled out from Norwich.
In 1959, the Post Office had to choose a town in which to experiment with codes. On the 28 July, postcode general Ernest Maples announced that Norwich had been selected. Each of the 150,000 private and business addresses would receive a code by October. The original Norwich format used the letters ‘NOR’.
The rollout of postal codes was finally completed in 1974 including the recoding of Norwich. To mark the 40th anniversary, a blue plaque was installed at Lloyds TSB in Gentleman's Walk, the site of Norwich’s first post office, back in 2014.
3. FROM TINY ACORNS…
What?
Corporate head of development management and building control for Runnymede Borough Council.
Where?
Runnymede Civic Centre in Addlestone, Surrey. Addlestone is a village, but is often referred to as a town because of its size.
The job
“Reporting direct to the chief executive, this new role will be responsible for managing the Development Management and Building Control teams, including the major projects team and planning enforcement, but will liaise closely with the Local Plans and Economic Development function over development issues. This role will also be part of a new Strategic Leadership team composed of all Corporate Heads following the council’s transition to a model of enhanced Corporate Heads.
“The successful applicant is likely to be a talented planner who is able to provide positive and effective leadership to their team, has the ability to handle complex and sensitive matters with skill and sensitivity and can work well in a multi-disciplinary context. You must have the ability to provide clear professional advice to elected members and maintain good working relationships with them. MRTPI qualified, with at least 4-5 years’ experience in working in development control, they must possess an in-depth knowledge of development management and planning enforcement. He/she must be an effective manager of people and budgets, be a good negotiator, and ideally have previous experience of public inquiries.”
Fun fact
Addlestone is home to the ancient ‘Crouch Oak’, a tree believed to have originated in the 11th century. The central ring of one branch was found to have formed in 1670, meaning the main trunk is much older. It also marked the boundary of Windsor Forest, although the forest has now been cut down to build towns. Legend says that Queen Elizabeth I stopped by it and had a picnic. The tree is hollow, but still alive.
Visitors can join in the Addlestone Town Trail and take a tour of the area including a stop at the tree. It’s an important feature to the town, and you can find it used in symbols for several local businesses, who also use the name in their title.
4. ALLOW YOUR CAREER TO FLOUR
What?
Planning enforcement officer for Cheshire East Council
Where?
Macclesfield in Cheshire.
The job
“The role will provide the opportunity to work on a diverse range of cases both in the office and on site. You will need good organisational, report writing and IT skills and attention to detail.
“If you believe that you have the necessary transferable skills or you have experience of working in the planning profession this could be the opportunity for you. You must enjoy a challenge, be a self-motivated team player and demonstrate excellent customer care. Ability to travel throughout Cheshire East and a full UK driving license are required.
"Cheshire East is an amazing place to live, work, visit and invest. We are proud to be one of the biggest employers in the area, employing around 4000 staff based in offices and other workplaces across the Borough. As a unitary council, we provide many different services and we offer a wide range of opportunities to job applicants from all backgrounds, ages, skills and interests, our aim is to have a diverse workforce that understands and represents the communities they serve.”
Fun fact
It would be hard nowadays to find somebody in the UK that didn’t recognise the brand name ‘Hovis’, renowned for its bread. The company actually originated in Macclesfield in 1886. It began as S. Fitton and Sons Ltd, who milled the flour and sold it along with branded baking tins to other bakers.
They set a national competition to find a trading name in 1890, and London student Herbert Grime came up with ‘Hovis’. Grime won £25 when he coined the word from the Latin phrase hominis vis - meaning ‘the strength of a man’. The company began operating under the name ‘Hovis Bread Flour Company Limited’ in 1898. It is now one of the most popular bread brands in the UK.
5. A MAN, A PLAN, A CANAL - ROCHDALE!
What?
2x principal planning officer (growth), planning services for Rochdale Borough Council.
Where?
In the heart of the town centre in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.
The job
“Work is well under way on the £250m transformation of Rochdale town centre and we are now developing plans for 2,000 new homes around the town centre supported by public realm enhancements. We have also set out our ambitious plans for the next 20-years in the GMSF which will see us play a leading role in the future growth of the city region and the North West economy.
“The roles will suit two experienced planners who are commercially minded and business focused. You will have a track record of successfully leading major development projects through the planning system and of delivering high quality, sustainable development. You will also possess outstanding technical knowledge, have excellent communication skills and be able to lead project teams. A passion for good urban design will also be important as we continue our drive to secure great design.”
Fun fact
Enjoy a ride along a canal? In Rochdale you’re in the right place. The Rochdale Canal has the highest concentration of canal locks in the north, being home to 91 of them across the canal’s 32 mile route from the Pennines in Manchester to Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire. The highest concentrated area of locks is in Littleborough.
After railways and motorways disturbed the canal route, it became impossible to freely travel down it. Fortunately, funding was announced back in 2000 to help remove these obstacles. In 2002, nearly 200 years after its opening, the whole canal became navigable again. Today, such is the frequency of navigation restrictions that anyone planning to use the canal should consult the Canal and River Trust website.
Image credits | Shutterstock and iStock
