Overview
This is an exciting opportunity to help deliver high quality development across Bedford Borough. The post oversees the Highways Development Management service through the implementation and delivery of the statutory duties and responsibilities of the Council in its role as the Highway Authority.
Working closely with Planning and Highway teams, you will manage a team of four officers to assess the impact of proposed development. With the aim of delivering safe, accessible and sustainable developments, we are looking for someone whose technical knowledge spans national and local transport and planning policies, and who can interpret and critique Transport Assessments and other technical documents and plans.
As this role has a direct impact on the way development sites look and function, we are seeking someone with excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to defend highway and transport objections where necessary at appeals, including public inquiries. The role varies daily, and we anticipate several large scale major applications over the coming years. You will therefore have the opportunity to follow projects through from pre application to final approvals. The Local Land Charges Highway Searches function also falls within the service area with two dedicated officers, and so the post holder needs to remain aware of other major infrastructure projects and local schemes.
Closing date: 15 September 2025. Interview date: 29 September 2025.
Responsibilities
* Oversee the Highways Development Management service through the implementation and delivery of the statutory duties and responsibilities of the Council in its role as the Highway Authority.
* Work closely with Planning and Highway teams, and manage a team of four officers to assess the impact of proposed development.
* Interpret and critique Transport Assessments and other technical documents and plans to support safe, accessible and sustainable developments.
* Defend highway and transport objections where necessary at appeals, including public inquiries, through excellent negotiation.
* Follow projects through from pre-application to final approvals, with several large scale major applications anticipated.
* Remain aware of the Local Land Charges Highway Searches function within the service area and coordinate with two dedicated officers on other major infrastructure projects and local schemes.
Requirements / Qualifications
* Technical knowledge spanning national and local transport and planning policies.
* Ability to interpret and critique Transport Assessments and other technical documents and plans.
* Excellent negotiation skills and ability to defend highway and transport objections at appeals.
How to apply
When you are ready to apply, click on ‘Apply for Vacancy’; you will be asked to upload a CV and answer some application questions. The application questions require a yes/no response. Please make sure your CV shows how you meet the requirements for the role you are applying for; the job profile below will show the essential selection criteria. An optional CV template is provided below.
Please note:
The Council will not normally re-employ ex-employees in receipt of: a severance payment (within 12 months of leaving); a local government pension (applies to Senior Officers only) unless the appointment is business critical.
For further information, please email recruitment.team@bedford.gov.uk
Bedford Borough Council is proud to be a member of the Armed Forces Covenant and the Care Leavers Covenant, and we pledge to interview any eligible job applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job they are applying for. Bedford Borough Council is also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer and guarantees to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role they are applying for. Bedford Borough Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
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