Planning Casework Higher Officer - ( Ref : 6892 )

Natural England; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Natural England in the Cambridge/Shaftesbury or Norwich area is seeking a Planning Casework Higher Officer to provide expert advice on complex planning applications and development proposals, ensuring growth delivers positive outcomes for nature, communities and future generations.

You will work with planners, developers, local authorities and environmental specialists, engaging early with major developments to mitigate impacts and secure large-scale environmental gains in line with the

Qualifications

• Experience of land-use planning and development management with understanding of planning for nature.
• Strong knowledge of environmental legislation, policy and guidance and their application to planning.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills to build relationships with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality statutory advice on planning applications and development plans.
• Assess impacts on landscapes, habitats and species to secure better nature outcomes.
• Coordinate expertise across Natural England to deliver robust, evidence-based advice.
• Build partnerships with customers and stakeholders, including chargeable services where appropriate.
• Work to statutory targets and deadlines with auditable actions.

Skills

Planning policy

Stakeholder engagement

Environmental law

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Analytical/advisory

Job description

This position can be based at Cambridge Shaftesbury or Norwich Dragonfly.

Job Description

As a Planning Casework Higher Officer, you will work at the heart of the planning system, providing expert advice on complex planning applications and strategic development proposals. You will help ensure that growth delivers positive outcomes for nature, communities and future generations.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence decision-making at a local, regional and national level while working alongside planners, developers, local authorities, government bodies and environmental specialists. By engaging early with major developments, we work collaboratively to avoid negative impacts to the natural environment, provide appropriate mitigation and secure large scale environmental outcomes which benefit nature and people’s connection with nature.

You will be delivering the Government’ new Environmental Improvement Plan (Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025 - GOV.UK) by advising Local Planning Authorities on the environmental impacts of Local Plans and individual planning applications. You will also help to develop new approaches to manage pressures like recreational disturbance and water pollution.

You would be part of a friendly, supportive team with opportunities to develop your skills by getting involved in a wide range of cases, opportunities and initiatives. It is a rewarding role with fantastic opportunities to secure positive environmental outcomes on the ground and to further our Nature Recovery Network. You will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of high-profile cases that will lead to positive outcomes for the natural world.

Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities

• Provide high-quality statutory advice on planning applications, development plans and infrastructure projects (including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects)
• Assess potential impacts on protected landscapes, habitats and species, helping to secure better outcomes for nature.
• Work alongside colleagues to coordinate expertise from across Natural England to deliver robust, evidence-based and quality-assured advice.
• Build partnerships with customers and stakeholders to resolve complex planning issues to support nature recovery. Including providing chargeable services where it supports better environmental outcomes.
• Work to statutory targets and deadlines whilst also ensuring all actions are accurately recorded and auditable.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Experience of land-use planning and development management, with a sound understanding of how the planning system can deliver sustainable development and positive environmental outcomes.

• Strong knowledge of environmental legislation, policy and guidance, with the ability to interpret and apply these effectively to planning casework and strategic planning activities.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to provide clear, evidence-based advice and build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Well-developed organisational and prioritisation skills, able to manage a complex and varied workload, balancing competing demands while delivering high-quality outcomes to agreed timescales.
• A good understanding of ecology, nature recovery and environmental protection, including protected sites, priority habitats and species, and the role of planning in securing gains for nature.

Work Delivery

• Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines
• Consider the financial implications of your work and seek income from our products and services
• Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies and procedures

Personal Effectiveness

• Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgement and evidence
• Act with integrity, addressing challenging issues and managing conflict through being open and objective
• Progress your personal development and take responsibility for keeping your knowledge and expertise current

Putting People at the Heart of the Environment

• Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and Natural England
• Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver Natural England’s vision, mission and aims

Technical (STAR Format not required)

• Demonstrable expertise in the planning system, with experience of applying planning policy and processes to secure positive environmental outcomes for designated sites, protected landscapes and protected species (Essential).
• Strong understanding of planning mechanisms that support nature recovery, with practical experience of processes such as Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Sustainability Appraisal and the Development Plan process. Able to interpret and apply emerging planning policies and frameworks to achieve enhanced outcomes for nature (Essential).
• Ability to identify appropriate solutions for avoidance, mitigation, compensation of environmental impacts and meeting shared outcomes; and identify opportunities for enhancing the natural environment (Essential)
• Knowledge of local government processes and/or experience in ecology, environmental management or land management would be advantageous, providing additional context for advising on planning and nature recovery matters (Desirable).