Planning Casework Higher Officer - ( Ref : 6893 )

At Natural England, we're here to make sure people and nature can thrive. We are the Government's adviser for the natural environment and the Nature regulator with a wide range of statutory duties and powers. We provide the evidence, expertise and advice to recover Nature and shape better places for people to live.

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's new Environmental Improvement Plan (Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025) 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.

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

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,780, Natural England contributes £9,786 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%