Walsingham Planning: Heritage Consultant

The Institute Of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC); Oregon; Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Walsingham Planning is seeking a Heritage Consultant to join our specialist heritage team. You will provide expert guidance on built heritage, listed buildings, conservation areas and related planning documentation, working with planning consultants, architects and local authorities.

The role involves preparing Heritage Statements, Desk-Based Assessments and Impact Assessments, assessing historic significance and identifying practical ways to conserve or manage change.

Qualifications

• A degree in archaeology, architecture, planning, heritage, conservation or a related discipline.
• Experience in heritage consultancy or planning consultancy.
• Strong understanding of UK heritage legislation and planning policy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist heritage and archaeology advice to clients and colleagues.
• Prepare Heritage Statements, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessments, Impact Assessments and other documents.
• Assess significance of historic buildings, landscapes and other heritage assets.
• Support business development and client relationships within heritage services.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Commercial awareness

Client liaison

Education

Degree in archaeology / architecture / planning / heritage / conservation or related discipline

Job description

Heritage Consultant (Walsingham Planning)

Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus benefits

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time, although part-time will be considered

Location: Bourne End, Buckinghamshire

Working pattern: Hybrid working

Professional membership: IHBC Full or Associate membership desirable. CIfA membership or other relevant heritage/conservation accreditation also desirable.

About Walsingham Planning

Walsingham Planning is an established town planning and heritage consultancy with a strong track record of helping clients and landowners secure planning permission and deliver development projects across the UK. We work with a wide range of private and public sector clients, including major commercial operators, house builders, land promoters, property developers, retailers, leisure operators, private healthcare organisations and housing associations. Our heritage consultancy work has continued to grow, and we are now looking for a knowledgeable and enthusiastic Heritage Consultant to join our team and help develop this successful area of the business.

The opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for a heritage professional who enjoys varied project work, high-quality technical advice and direct client involvement. You will provide specialist advice on heritage and archaeological matters across a wide range of planning and development projects, including built heritage, listed buildings, conservation areas, historic buildings and development-led heritage assessments. Working closely with our planning consultants, clients, architects, local planning authorities and Historic England, you will help ensure that proposals respond appropriately to heritage significance, planning legislation, national policy and best practice.

The role will involve preparing Heritage Statements, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessments, Impact Assessments and other supporting documents for planning and listed building consent applications. You will also assess the significance of historic buildings, sites and landscapes, advise on potential impacts and recommend practical ways to conserve, enhance or manage change. As the role develops, there will also be opportunities to support the continued growth of our heritage offer through client relationships, networking, CPD activity and wider business development.

Key Responsibilities

• provide specialist heritage and archaeology advice to clients and colleagues;
• prepare Heritage Statements, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessments, Impact Assessments and other supporting documents;
• assess the significance of historic buildings, landscapes, sites and other heritage assets;
• advise on conservation best practice, including materials, repair methods and managing change;
• liaise with local planning authorities, Historic England and other stakeholders;
• undertake site visits and heritage appraisals;
• support projects from pre-application advice through to post-consent conditions;
• work collaboratively with colleagues across the planning and heritage teams;
• contribute to business development, client care and the promotion of Walsingham Planning’s heritage services;
• keep up to date with relevant legislation, policy changes and best practice in heritage and archaeology.

About You

• a degree in archaeology, architecture, planning, heritage, conservation or a related discipline;
• experience in heritage consultancy, planning consultancy, local authority conservation or a similar role;
• experience preparing heritage assessments, statements or related planning documentation;
• a strong understanding of UK heritage legislation, national planning policy and conservation best practice;
• excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• the ability to provide clear, proportionate and commercially aware advice;
• strong analytical skills and attention to detail;
• confidence managing a varied workload and working collaboratively with clients and colleagues.

Experience of appeal statements, hearings, listed building consent work and client-facing consultancy would be particularly welcome.

IHBC Full or Associate membership is desirable. CIfA membership or other relevant heritage/conservation accreditation would also be welcomed.

Why join us?

You will join a supportive, friendly and ambitious consultancy with an established planning team and a growing heritage service. We offer varied work across a wide range of local authority areas and client sectors, with opportunities to develop your technical expertise, build client relationships and help shape the future of our heritage consultancy offer. This is a role for someone who is passionate about heritage, understands the planning process and enjoys helping clients find positive, practical ways to manage change in the historic environment.

Website: walsinghamplanning.co.uk