Principal Design and Conservation Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Lewisham; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking a Principal Design and Conservation Officer in Lewisham to lead specialist conservation, heritage, and urban design advice for a local authority on a 3-month contract. The role is central to protecting and enhancing the borough’s historic environment within planning decisions and regeneration projects.

The successful candidate will oversee conservation area appraisals, SPDs, Article 4 Directions, and heritage strategies while leading pre-application

Qualifications

• Degree in Conservation, Historic Buildings, Town Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Heritage Management, or related discipline.
• Relevant professional qualification in conservation, planning, architecture, or heritage-related field.
• Membership of a relevant professional body such as IHBC, RTPI, RIBA, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert conservation and urban design advice on complex planning applications, listed building applications, major developments, and regeneration schemes.
• Lead on heritage matters within the Strategic Planning Team, ensuring the historic environment is considered in planning decisions and policy development.
• Manage conservation area appraisals, conservation management plans, Article 4 Directions, heritage strategies, and supplementary planning documents (SPDs).
• Lead pre-application discussions and negotiations with developers, architects, consultants, and stakeholders to secure high-quality design outcomes.
• Prepare reports, recommendations, briefings, and presentations for Planning Committees, senior management, elected members, and other decision-making bodies.
• Represent the Council at Planning Hearings, Public Inquiries, court proceedings, and stakeholder meetings as an expert witness where required.

Skills

Heritage management

Urban design

Planning

Conservation experience

Education

Degree in Conservation or related field

Professional qualification in conservation/planning/heritage

Membership in IHBC/RTPI/RIBA or equivalent

Job description

Principal Design and Conservation Officer

Lewisham, United Kingdom | Posted on 05/08/2026

Job Description

3 months contract with a local authority

Summary

• This role involves leading the provision of specialist conservation, heritage, and urban design advice within a local authority on a 3-month contract. The position is crucial for ensuring the protection and enhancement of the historic environment across the borough. The successful candidate will play a key role in planning decisions, policy development, and regeneration projects, ensuring that heritage considerations are integrated into urban planning processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert conservation and urban design advice on complex planning applications, listed building applications, major developments, and regeneration schemes.
• Lead on heritage matters within the Strategic Planning Team, ensuring the historic environment is considered in planning decisions and policy development.
• Manage conservation area appraisals, conservation management plans, Article 4 Directions, heritage strategies, and supplementary planning documents (SPDs).
• Lead pre-application discussions and negotiations with developers, architects, consultants, and stakeholders to secure high-quality design outcomes.
• Prepare reports, recommendations, briefings, and presentations for Planning Committees, senior management, elected members, and other decision-making bodies.
• Represent the Council at Planning Hearings, Public Inquiries, court proceedings, and stakeholder meetings as an expert witness where required.

Requirements

• Significant experience in building conservation, heritage management, urban design, or planning.
• Experience advising on listed building applications, conservation areas, heritage assets, and complex planning proposals.
• Degree in Conservation, Historic Buildings, Town Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Heritage Management, or a related discipline.
• Relevant professional qualification in a conservation, planning, architecture, or heritage-related field.
• Membership of a relevant professional body such as IHBC, RTPI, RIBA, or equivalent.

Additional Information

• Working hours: 28 hours per week
• Temporary position for 28 hours a week to cover until permanent position filled.
• Work pattern: 2 days in the office - typically Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Enhanced DBS required.
• The role closes on 10th August 2026