Look around you. Do you like what you see? Are the new buildings you see in towns as good as those that were put up many years ago? Should old buildings be preserved? What about public gardens and monuments? Do you notice them? Do you agree with the poet John Keats that ‘a thing of beauty is a joy forever’?

If you have thought about these questions and care about the answers, then you could play a part in how your built environment looks by choosing a career in urban design and conservation.

The post is located in all types of authority except for county councils.

Work Environment

This will involve office work and local travel to planning sites and public meetings. The normal working week consists of 36 hours but flexi-time schemes are often available. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Daily Activities

The main purpose of the job is to develop policies and planning guidance that secures the conservation of the built environment and encourages a high quality of design in all new development in the local area. This means that it is the duty of Urban Design & Conservation (UDC) officers to:

• help the public understand the importance of conservation and enhancement of their built heritage – the character of their visible past
• enable people to have a say in what their environment looks like and to enjoy being part of it
• advise councillors, planning applicants and the general public on conservation of listed buildings, scheduled monuments, archeological sites, gardens and parks etc. and provide information leaflets
• look at development proposals and advise on planning permission for significant new development in conservation areas and take part in the negotiation procedure
• assist with the enforcement and legal action required to protect threatened buildings and features of the urban landscape
• liaise with building control officers in assessing buildings at risk, including the preparation of repairs and emergency work
• prepare written evidence and represent the council as an expert witness in planning and enforcement appeals and criminal prosecutions
• prepare designs, sketches and detailed development briefs for major or particularly sensitive sites
• advise on designated new conservation areas and draw up character appraisals for applicants, property owners and residents
• manage the council’s design and conservation awards and historic buildings grants schemes
• maintain documentary, photographic and map records of historic buildings, parks and gardens, ancient monuments and other features of special architectural interest.

Skills & Interests

It is essential to have:

• knowledge of architectural history, design, construction and landscape
• working knowledge of historic buildings and conservation law
• the ability to negotiate, demonstrate and communicate ideas effectively with professionals and non-specialists by verbal, written and graphical means
• excellent urban design skills and an ability to produce clear illustrative material in detail and sketch form
• the ability to produce clear and concise reports
• ability to plan and work with minimal supervision
• a commitment to encouraging conservation and high design standards.

It is desirable to be computer literate and have some knowledge of traditional building techniques and materials.

Entry Requirements

You must have a degree or equivalent in at least one of the following areas: town planning, architecture, historic building conservation or urban design.

Membership of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation and of the Royal Town Planning Institute or the Royal Institute of British Architects is desirable.

A minimum of 2 years relevant post qualification experience is essential. It would also be helpful to have worked in local government, have experience of development control and of preparing conservation area appraisals. In addition, experience of writing policies and/or supplementary planning guidance and/or design briefs and of initiating schemes in the cause of building conservation and good design is desirable.

Estimated salary range

£23,610 - £28,356

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

There are opportunities for promotion in the planning and environment services. The next job up is Principal Planning Officer and that entails more policy management.

Senior posts in urban renewal, conservation, town planning and heritage protection are always available. Jobs outside local government include various posts in the heritage industry.

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