Description:
You will be delivering the Government’ new Environmental Improvement Plan by advising Local Planning Authorities on the environmental impacts of Local Plans and individual planning applications. You will also help to develop new approaches to manage pressures like recreational disturbance and water pollution.
By engaging early with major developments, we have the opportunity to work collaboratively to avoid negative impacts to the natural environment, provide appropriate mitigation and secure large scale environmental outcomes which benefit nature and people’s connection with nature.
This is a rewarding role with fantastic opportunities to secure positive environmental outcomes on the ground and to further our Nature Recovery Network. You will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of high-profile cases that will lead to positive outcomes for the natural world.
Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities
- Providing statutory advice to Local Planning Authorities and other statutory consulters on the environmental impacts and opportunities of planning proposals and Local Plans.
- Providing advice on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
- Working to deliver High Risk and High Opportunity plans and casework, coordinating the provision of advice from across Natural England, building expertise to deliver quality-assured and robust advice on major plans and projects.
- Build partnerships with customers and stakeholders to resolve complex planning issues to support nature recovery, often through use of chargeable services that support better environmental outcomes. Supporting NE nature recovery goals including use of net gain, nutrient mitigation plans, provision of high quality green and blue infrastructure, and creating opportunities for better connections between people and nature.
- Ensure individual casework targets for consultations are met and record all actions. Delivering timely, high quality, pragmatic and legally sound advice to authorities and developers in the Area Team geography.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- A good knowledge of, and experience in, land use planning
- Strong planning, prioritisation, and organisational ability to manage complex delivery areas with competing demands.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills.
- Robust and current knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance and how to apply and interpret it to NE’s activities and duties.
- Strong understanding of environmental protection in England and the legislation that underpins it.
- Demonstrable experience of UK ecology with a broad understanding of priority habitats and species.
Description
- Relevant degree or equivalent qualification and experience. (Essential)
- Applied knowledge and/or experience of using the planning system to secure positive outcomes for landscapes, people and nature, including nature recovery, landscape enhancement, and the delivery of green and blue infrastructure (Essential)
- Knowledge and/or practical experience of strategic planning, development management and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), including application of the Habitats Regulations and associated environmental legislation, to provide pragmatic and proportionate advice that facilitates sustainable development (Essential)
- Strong ecological and landscape expertise, including habitats, protected species and designated sites, providing technical advice on environmental impacts, mitigation, compensation and landscape-scale enhancement opportunities, with a clear understanding of contributions to Local Nature Recovery Strategies and other strategies (Essential)
- Proven ability to lead the establishment of, and sustain, collaborative partnerships with developers, planning authorities, statutory bodies and wider stakeholders to secure positive environmental outcomes and deliver practical, evidence-based solutions (Desirable)