Job at a glance
The Role This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a successful strategic species conservation strategy by supporting colleagues with essential knowledge and guidance on the UK planning system. The role requires an experienced, well-organised and confident communicator who can apply their strategic planning policy expertise together with knowledge and understanding of planning reforms and development management into daily tasks and long-term projects, integrating our work effectively and smoothly with the planning system.
The experienced postholder will be responsible for supporting the NatureSpace team with the increasing needs of a rapidly growing company – The role would support strategic decision-making and would provide support and guidance to all teams when required. Daily tasks would be variable depending on need. The role sits within the Core Support team – a small yet growing team with a wide remit – and will be line-managed by the Core Support Manager.
You’ll work closely with two current planning specialists, while also working independently and collaboratively with colleagues across the company. A sound understanding of planning law and practice is required for this role, with an expectation of a good grasp of planning principles. It is expected that the postholder will guide and support the two existing planning specialists within the team, supporting their development in core competencies to consolidate skills and build confidence and expertise within the planning team, and will undertake line-management responsibilities.
We’re looking for an enthusiastic, capable individual with strong communication and organisation skills, passionate about planning with a keen interest in biodiversity and sustainable development. Key responsibilities Co-ordinate the planning team to provide planning support across all teams as necessary, on strategic planning and development management areas of expertise. Communicate and interpret strategic planning, local planning policy and planning reform changes effectively across the company Lead on the preparation, review and delivery of internal planning training, including organising training sessions and designing presentations.
Review all external communications to ensure they are accurate in planning knowledge and understanding. Provide planning support within internal and external meetings, and to external stakeholders. Supervise and review planning knowledge and data for all licence applications requiring planning policy input, ensuring accuracy. Provide planning knowledge and context for innovative new workstreams Ensure that important records are kept up-to-date and assist with the quality assurance process to maintain high-quality data.
Co-ordinate the review and dissemination of planning news, updates and guidance to the wider team and other relevant key information. Be responsible for a variety of work as necessary, including administration, communications, updating and monitoring progress towards key planning projects and wider company projects as required. Company background Great crested newts have declined dramatically in the UK over the last 50 years, and although still widespread across lowland England they are no longer common.
Despite protection under UK and European wildlife law, numbers are still declining, and habitat loss is their biggest threat. In 2018, the NatureSpace District Licensing Scheme was launched – set up in partnership with the UK’s leading freshwater and amphibian non-governmental organisations as well as seven local planning authorities across the South Midlands. Since then, the scheme has expanded nationally and now covers 70 local planning authorities across Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Surrey and West Sussex.
The scheme allows planning authorities to authorise (under strictly defined terms) activities which affect great crested newts