6676 - Sustainable Development Higher Officer - Bristol

You will be delivering the Government’ new Environmental Improvement Plan 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.

By engaging early with major developments, we have the opportunity to 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.

This is a rewarding role with fantastic opportunities to secure positive environmental outcomes on the ground and to further our Nature Recovery Network. You will have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of high-profile cases that will lead to positive outcomes for the natural world.

Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities

Providing statutory advice to Local Planning Authorities and other statutory consulters on the environmental impacts and opportunities of planning proposals and Local Plans.

Providing advice on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

Working to deliver High Risk and High Opportunity plans and casework, coordinating the provision of advice from across Natural England, building expertise to deliver quality-assured and robust advice on major plans and projects.

Build partnerships with customers and stakeholders to resolve complex planning issues to support nature recovery, often through use of chargeable services that support better environmental outcomes. Supporting NE nature recovery goals including use of net gain, nutrient mitigation plans, provision of high quality green and blue infrastructure, and creating opportunities for better connections between people and nature.

Ensure individual casework targets for consultations are met and record all actions. Delivering timely, high quality, pragmatic and legally sound advice to authorities and developers in the Area Team geography.