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Kiss me, quick

Published on: 15 Mar 2022

Blackpool really is unique. Success here comes through grit and determination, from a desire to always find a way forward. It comes with the imagination to innovate and a sense of adventure. We’ve got a passion for Blackpool that’s seen more than a billion pounds worth of development and infrastructure investment secured to start building our future.

Blackpool Council

What makes Blackpool such an exciting, engaging and challenging place to practice planning?

  • A £1billion+ growth and prosperity programme including £300m of themed leisure development; a £220m scheme to establish a gateway town centre civic and commercial hub; a 144 hectare Enterprise Zone to deliver 5,000 new jobs; £40.5m of Town Deal funding and a £28m conference and exhibition centre project
  • Levels of deprivation that sadly top the national charts presenting a huge challenge both to improve the quality of life for our residents but also balance the needs of the resort with those of our communities
  • Unitary administration bringing together the functions of planning, highway management, public protection, social care, education and health to enable a truly holistic approach to development and regeneration
  • A legacy of historic development and a social and built profile that raises questions of planning law sufficient to really test your grey matter!
  • Unique heritage with 6 Conservation Areas (and another on the way) and 46 Listed Buildings (including roller coasters, one of our three piers and, of course, our iconic Blackpool Tower!)
  • A population of around 140,000 packed into a borough of less than 35 square kilometres! Blackpool is an incredibly compact urban authority and our lack of open space for new development to meet future needs demands innovative strategic planning
  • A diverse offering of green infrastructure; Blackpool is sandwiched between two Special Protection Areas and includes a SSSI, 7 miles of glorious coastline and one of the biggest municipal parks in the country
  • Fantastic location by the beach but right on the motorway network just an hour from Manchester, Liverpool, the Lake District National Park and the Trough of Bowland
  • And we have a theme park!

You will be joining an incredibly passionate team of local people committed to addressing the challenges that Blackpool poses, and firmly re-establishing it as the country’s premier holiday destination. Dealing with predominantly major-scale and complex minor applications, you will contribute directly towards resort regeneration. Through your effective negotiation skills you will deliver sustainable, high-quality development that safeguards our most vulnerable, enhances our communities and changes the face of our town for the better.

We appreciate that you might not be local, and that you might not be in a position to relocate, but the world has changed a lot over the last couple of years and we’ve learned new ways of working. If you are the right candidate for Blackpool, we would love to hear from you to explore options.

Blackpool Council offers an exciting opportunity to work in the UK’s most popular seaside resort, synonymous with fun and entertainment, attracting more than 10 million visitors a year. Blackpool is also the main retail, public administration, cultural and service centre for the Fylde Coast, supporting a population of around 326,000.

The Council operates hybrid working arrangements enabling staff to find a balance of working from home and time in the office. Our offices are located in the heart of Blackpool Town Centre which offers a full range of services with the famous Blackpool Tower and seafront just around the corner.

The Development Management team is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced planner to play a key role in shaping the future of the resort. Dealing with major development proposals of significance and assisting in the management of the team, you will have a proven track record of managing a complex and challenging caseload including excellent inter-personal skills and effective negotiation. Up-to-date knowledge of planning policy and legislation is essential. Blackpool offers a unique experience to broaden your professional experience and deliver real difference.

The right candidate will have significant post qualification experience of Development Management work. Management support and decision-making experience would be valuable but is not essential. In addition to your caseload, your responsibilities will include supporting the Head of Development Management in the determination of minor applications; supporting less experienced colleagues; advising colleagues in planning enforcement; and contributing towards the development of planning policy. As senior, you will deal with some of the most significant developments in the town, and be part of the ongoing regeneration and transformation of our iconic resort.

If you would like to discuss this exciting opportunity in more detail, please call Susan Parker on 01253 476228.

Click Here to view the job details.