Carrington West are assisting their local authority client based in East Anglia in the search for a Design and Conservation Officer to join the Town Planning department on a 3-6 month contract (Possibility of extensions). The role will be remote based with site visits expected to be once per week.
Role purpose

To provide building conservation and urban design expertise to conserve and enhance the quality of the built environment through development management, capital improvement projects, the development of planning policy, investigation and enforcement against breaches of planning control and saving heritage at risk.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Devising policies relating to urban design and building conservation issues through the Local Development Framework, conservation area appraisals, area action plans, master plans, development briefs and thematic supplementary planning documents. Consulting with the public in the production of these policies and promoting and explaining the agreed policies.
• Contributing to the development of the design, conservation and landscape team's work programme and improvements to the team's methods of working, including helping to introduce and exploit new technology so that the conservation and design function can be delivered more efficiently and effectively. Updating information on the listed buildings module of the Uniform database.
• Acting as development management for case officers dealing with pre-application negotiations, determining applications under delegated powers, writing and presenting reports for committee and discharging planning conditions for developments that involve listed buildings.
• In conjunction with the development management team, ensure that the appropriate urban design and building conservation advice is provided with regard to proposals for development, providing this to developers, applicants and the public. Ensuring this advice is included in reports to the Planning Applications Committee.
• Negotiating improvements to the design of new developments and conservation schemes with developers and their agents.
• Liaising with government departments, non-departmental public bodies, charities, trusts and interest groups to deliver projects and promote good conservation and design practices.
• Preparing proofs of evidence and representing the Council as an expert witness at appeal hearings and inquiries.
• Assisting enforcement activities against breaches of planning control in relation to historic buildings and conservation area.
• Keeping up-to-date with the latest legislation and best practice in the fields of urban design and building conservation.
• Managing urban design and conservation projects.
• Organising design review and architectural competitions, which scrutinise the design of development proposals.
• Managing budgets for grant-aided work to conserve historic buildings and checking that the works are carried out properly, setting grant conditions and ensuring that works are fully compliant.
• Identifying sources of funding and securing it from other City Council budgets and external funding to pay for City Council urban design and conservation projects.
• Undertake site inspections in all weather conditions, including negotiating steps, ladders and rough terrain.

The successful candidate should hold a recognised degree-level qualification in building conservation and have eligibility for full membership of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation.

Significant experience of working in the field of building conservation and / or urban design is required, in return flexible working hours and remote working is on offer

Carrington West Pay Rate - £35 per/hour

Job Ref - 27505

Please call Cameron de Wit on 02393 876014 for a confidential discussion on this role, or email myself or our planning team if you are short of time to chat:
cameron.dewit@carringtonwest.com
planning@carringtonwest.com

Carrington West's dedicated Town Planning Recruitment Team supply clients UK wide on both a permanent and contract basis and all levels of seniority. If this role is too senior, too junior or in a location that is unsuitable, but you are keen on options, please still feel free to apply and we can discuss other, often unadvertised roles with you.