Senior Sustainable Design And Heritage Officer

Hays Recruitment is seeking a Senior Sustainable Design and Heritage Officer in Greater London. The role involves managing listed building applications, providing expert guidance to the council, and ensuring the borough's architectural character is preserved while addressing sustainability goals. Candidates should have a background in conservation or planning, with experience in historic area management and excellent communication skills. The position is office-based and not remote.
This prestigious London Borough is an area of enormous architectural significance and interest. Over 70 per cent of the borough is protected by 35 conservation areas and we have some 3,800 listed buildings alongside brownfield sites with significant capacity for growth and new housing. As development progresses, they're putting local people and local businesses at the heart of decision-making while also addressing Kensington and Chelsea’s target of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2030.

The Role:

Joining the Sustainable Design and Heritage team, you’ll ensure our borough retains its unique character as it continues to move forward. Working closely with council members, planners and urban designers you will deal with a diverse caseload of listed building applications, planning proposals and enforcement matters. You will also provide guidance and expert support for the council, appearing at public enquiries, answering queries from applicants, and advising development management officers. The team is well-resourced and encouraged to be innovative in its approach, giving plenty of scope for professional challenge and development.

Duties include:
• To provide advice to applicants, including observations on pre-app and planning applications and conservation area consents, and negotiate on standalone listed building consent applications, recommending the most appropriate course of action
• To process pre-apps, listed building consents and planning applications in an efficient manner and ensuring timely service to Development Management.
• To advise third parties about conservation and urban design matters and to advise them of the scope of listed building control, including assisting as necessary in the Customer Service Centre to ensure the highest levels of customer service.
• To draft reports (including recommendation for grant or refusal of applications and taking/not taking enforcement action) for submission to planning committee or for delegation to the Head of Development Management/ Head of Spatial Planning or the Director of Planning and Place.
• To prepare statements and other materials for appeals and prosecutions for agreement by the Team Leader and/or Head of Development Management/ Head of Spatial Planning.
• Represent the Design and Heritage service at meetings with other services, groups, Council departments, Government departments, statutory bodies, developers, community and other groups, and the public.
• To instruct and lead formal enforcement action where authorised
• Keeping applicants, complainants, colleagues, councillors and others informed of the position of current cases and to share knowledge where necessary.
• Such other relevant duties as may be from time to time allocated by the Team Leader.

About You:

With a background in conservation, planning, architecture or a related area, you’ll have a sound knowledge of the management of historic areas and an excellent working knowledge of planning legislation. Extensive conservation experience is essential, preferably in a development context, including handling appeals and enforcement. A confident and diplomatic communicator, you’ll combine sound judgement with the ability to explain your decisions to the wider public. You’ll also have the skills to share your expertise and develop less experienced members of the team.

This is a 3-6 month contract with a high likelihood of extension. The hourly rate will range between £40 and £45/h depending on experience.