Planning Ecologist

About The Role

Job Title: Planning Ecologist |
Hours: 37 |
Salary: HC07 £ 32,061 - £36,363 per annum |
Contract: Permanent |
Closing date: 28th June 2026

Herefordshire Council is looking to appoint a Planning Ecologist to join our Natural Environment function within the Economy & Environment Directorate. This is a key professional role providing ecological advice across the planning system and wider council activity.

You will play an important part in protecting and enhancing Herefordshire’s biodiversity, supporting sustainable development, and helping to deliver the council’s ambitions around nature recovery networks and biodiversity net gain.

As a Planning Ecologist, you will provide robust, proportionate ecological advice to internal colleagues and external stakeholders, primarily as consultee to planning applications, ranging from major development to small householder applications.

Your work will include:

• Reviewing planning applications, including interpretation of wildlife and habitats legislation.
• Undertaking Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA).
• Reviewing biodiversity net gain (BNG) proposals and biodiversity gain conditions.
• Assessing development proposal compliance with Nutrient Neutrality.
• Negotiating with applicants, agents, and consultees, working closely with Development Management Case Officers to agree appropriate mitigation and planning conditions.
• Providing ecological input to council nature policy development.
• Undertaking site visits and ecological surveys, including monitoring BNG sites.
• Supporting enforcement team relating to potential breaches of legislation/conditions.
• Representing the council at meetings, forums and public events, promoting biodiversity.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues across Planning, Sustainability and Climate Change, Highways, Parks and Legal Services, as well as with external partners including Natural England, the Environment Agency and local wildlife organisations.

You will have:

• A degree (or equivalent) in ecology, nature conservation or a closely related discipline
• Membership of, or active progression towards membership of, a relevant professional body such as CIEEM
• Knowledge of wildlife legislation, ecological best practice and how these apply within the planning system
• Experience of providing technical ecological advice, including Habitats Regulations Assessment and biodiversity net gain
• Knowledge of ecological field survey techniques
• The ability to interpret technical reports, legislation and policy and present clear, balanced advice to a range of audiences
• Strong communication skills and confidence working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• A full driving licence and the ability to travel throughout the county and undertake site visits, including over rough terrain

You will also share our commitment to safeguarding children, young people and adults with care and support needs.

If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact the recruitment team.

The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:

• Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme.
• Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.

We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.