Overview
Historic England is the public body that looks after England's historic environment. We champion historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them. An important part of our role is to engage with plans, strategies and development proposals affecting historic places.
In 2026 we will see the launch of a new system for Local Plans, and the re-introduction of a strategic tier of spatial planning across England. Historic England wants to be at the forefront of ensuring that the next era of growth and change both protects and capitalises in our nation's heritage, securing high quality character-led development.
We have a fantastic opportunity to join our regional Development Advice teams as a Historic Environment Planning Adviser. This role is in our South West Regional Team. This is a full time, permanent position based in Bristol with hybrid working.
The Development Advice Teams assist local communities, including through local authority partners, in appreciating the significance of their local historic environment and its potential to deliver benefits for the community by promoting the effective use of the planning system at strategic and local levels.
As part of this team, the Historic Environment Planning Adviser takes delegated responsibility for providing Historic England's advice to local authorities and other partners in the preparation and revision of development plans and other strategic planning documents. Applying the ethos of 'constructive conservation' and making effective use of Historic England's guidance in all their advisory work, they will provide advice on strategic planning matters such as Spatial Development Strategies, Local Plans and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, as well as contributing to national and local guidance.
Responsibilities
* Take responsibility for providing Historic England's formal advice on the formulation of development plans and strategic planning work, with a particular focus on site allocations, to ensure that they set out an appropriate framework to conserve and manage sustainably the historic environment, delivering it to set timescales and to excellent customer service standards.
* Lead and where appropriate co-ordinate the response to other planning-related documents and strategies, including design, transport, minerals, waste, flood risk and coastal change, green infrastructure and financial contributions (e.g. Community Infrastructure Levy, S.106 planning obligations).
* Respond, on behalf of Historic England, to Strategic Environmental Assessments, Sustainability Appraisals and, working with the Development Advice team, to provide expertise on Environmental Impact Assessments to promote the sustainable management of the historic environment.
* Develop constructive relationships with Local Planning Authorities and with other relevant bodies in relation to the plan-making process to promote the sustainable management of the historic environment.
* Represent the organisation as an expert witness at Examinations in Public of Local Plans.
* Contribute to the review, development and dissemination of Historic England's guidance relating to planning for the historic environment, both individually and in conjunction with colleagues.
* Inform Historic England's response to emerging policy and practice of government and other bodies, and assist with the corporate response to consultations from government and others.
* Be an effective advocate for the historic environment.
* Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the grade and competencies required of the post requested by line management.
Where you will be
Please note that the role requires occasional travel to sites not serviced by public transport, and occasional attendance at community meetings which are usually held at evenings or weekends.
Requirements
* Educated to degree level or equivalent in town planning or a closely related subject or significant experience in a relevant field.
* A thorough understanding of the national planning system and its legislative context at both the strategic and local level and its role in the sustainable management of the historic environment.
* Evidence of a track record in managing positive change to places.
* Good negotiating and influencing skills.
* Evidence of a track record of working constructively with Local Authorities, organisations, developers and owners.
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident: A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .
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