Officer, Sustainable Development

The Role

This position is based at Crewe or Manchester

The purpose of this role is to provide advice on Local Plans and associated strategic planning documents, the Green Infrastructure Framework, and as required development management casework within the area team.

Natural England aims to provide early, and proactive advice based on the best available evidence. You will work closely with external partners to reach solutions which deliver sustainable growth while securing positive environmental outcomes. We are looking for someone with knowledge of the planning system and processes however they must also be keen to develop their skills in a fast-paced role which will have the opportunity to work on high profile plans and projects.

We also need someone who can demonstrate that they can build and develop positive relationships with colleagues and external partners as this will be fundamental to successful delivery. This role will work closely with Sustainable Development Senior Officers in the team and will have the opportunity to shadow more complex work.

This role will be based in Natural England’s Cheshire to Lancashire Area Team and will help to deliver Natural England’s vision for Nature Recovery and Building Better Places through supporting our sustainable development work.

The Area Team covers four counties of Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region and Lancashire. It includes the uplands of Forest of Bowland and West Pennines through the diverse lowlands of Cheshire to the rich coastal habitats of the Irish Sea coast and its wealth of estuaries, and the large conurbations of Liverpool and Manchester.

Flexible working options are supported, and regular travel within Chesire to Lancashire is required for site visits and meetings.

• Deliver timely, high quality, pragmatic and legally sound advice to planning authorities and developers in the area team geography, focussing on provision of advice on Strategic Planning (Local Plans) associated Habitats Regulations Assessments and Green Infrastructure.
• Support Senior Officers in the delivery of High Risk and High Opportunity casework, as required, building your expertise to deliver quality-assured and robust advice on major plans and projects and through escalating risk through appropriate channels.
• Build partnerships with customers and stakeholders to resolve complex planning issues in order to support nature recovery, often through use of chargeable services that support better environmental outcomes.
• Proactively work with partners on opportunities that take forward NE nature recovery goals including use of biodiversity net gain, provision of high quality green and blue infrastructure, and creating opportunities for better connections between people and nature. Play a leading role in promoting and supporting the implementation of Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework within the team.
• Apply the highest standards of record keeping and decision making to demonstrate that legislation, policy and governance frameworks are followed, and consistent advice is delivered to customers.

• Understanding and experience of the planning system and its processes including local policy planning and development management and how to apply it in the context of NE’s activities and duties (essential).
• Experience of reviewing Local Plans, planning applications and environmental assessments including Strategic Environmental Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessments to inform advice and decisions (essential).
• Knowledge of relevant planning and environmental policy and legislation affecting protected sites/areas and species (essential).
• Strong organisational ability to manage complex delivery areas with competing demands (essential).
• The ability to build collaborative relationships with colleagues (both internally and externally) to help make things happen and deliver outcomes (essential).
• An ability to learn new areas of expertise to fulfil the tasks relevant to the post (essential).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (essential).
• Broad understanding Natural England’s remit and…