Senior Planning Casework Officer

Natural England; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid home/office working

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Natural England is recruiting for a Planning Casework Higher Officer in Cambridge. The role delivers expert statutory planning advice to influence development outcomes that balance growth with nature protection.

You will collaborate with planners, developers, local authorities and environmental specialists, applying robust policy interpretation and evidence-led approaches within a hybrid working model.

Qualifications

• Experience of land-use planning and development management.
• Strong knowledge of environmental legislation, policy and guidance.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Well-developed organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Good understanding of ecology, nature recovery and environmental protection.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Work to statutory targets and deadlines whilst ensuring all actions are accurately recorded and auditable.

Skills

Planning expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Policy interpretation

Communication skills

Project coordination

Job description

Natural England is recruiting for a Planning Casework Higher Officer in Cambridge. The role delivers expert statutory planning advice to influence development outcomes that balance growth with nature protection.

You will collaborate with planners, developers, local authorities and environmental specialists, applying robust policy interpretation and evidence-led approaches within a hybrid working model.