Public Path Order and Development Officer
Permanent, Full Time
35,250 to 41,470 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 24th May 2026
Essex Highways (EH) is responsible for managing and maintaining one of the largest highway networks in the country: 5,000 miles of roads and around 5,000 miles of footways and PROW. EH is a delivery partnership between Essex County Council (ECC) and Ringway Jacobs. This role will work within the Essex Highways Partnership to help deliver road maintenance, street lighting, drainage and flooding, winter travel, road safety, traffic management, highway development, bridges and structures, grass and vegetation, bus stops and bus shelters, public rights of way and roads strategies for users of Essex highways.
The role is responsible for all aspects of PROW Public Path Order Casework, including being the formal ECC representative at public inquiries. Detailed assessment of strategic Planning Applications for Public Rights of Way, accountable for all stages relating to Public Path Orders. Liaison and negotiation with public bodies, solicitors, developers, land agents and the public relating to Definitive Map. Competent and robust decision making to reflect ECC policy and legislation.
Accountabilities
- Responsible for providing official representation from the PROW team in relation to all planning matters for which ECC is consulted, including major strategic infrastructure proposals, Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP), Development Consent Orders (DCO) and other major developments. Providing detailed often complex assessment of PROW impact and offering crucial feedback, including provision of solutions and mitigation strategies to the Strategic Development, Transport for future communities, Garden Communities, New Settlements, Growth and Development and National Infrastructure planning teams. Advising on scope and negotiating appropriate strategies where PROW have been included in movement strategies or as sustainable transport options. Advocate on enhancement and protection of walking and cycling access in the planning process.
- Responsible for producing and implementing Public Path Orders at all procedural stages, including making recommendations to the Chief Officer to enable strategic decision making. Drafting and advertising of subsequent legal Orders. Accountable for the cost recovery associated with Public Path Orders, including invoicing and ensuring accurate records of fees are maintained for audit.
- Accountable for preparing the Council's bundle for written representations, public hearings or public inquiries if there are objections to Orders and give evidence and be cross-examined as an expert witness in courts of all levels and public inquiries to execute the Council's legal responsibilities in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Organise and arrange public inquiries and hearings as required by the Planning Inspectorate.
- Time critical liaison with developers, agents and highways development management by providing expert, professional advice in the making and confirming of PPOs under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Highways Act 1980 to protect the legal integrity of the routes on the Definitive Map.
- Accountable for registration of Landowner Deposits and Statements, along with publishing a register thereof in accordance with statutory requirements. Responsible for ensuring cost recovery and adherence to legal requirements, including display of notices on site and accurate recording of submitted documentation.
- Responsible for managing the fee invoicing of Traffic Regulation Order costs in relation to Public Rights of Way Orders to ensure cost recovery. Accurately recording invoices and liaising with ECC finance and customers to ensure swift
