Historic Environment Planning Adviser - South West

Historic England is the public body that looks after England’s historic environment. We champion historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them. An important part of our role is to engage with plans, strategies and development proposals affecting historic places. In 2026 we will see the launch of a new system for Local Plans, and the re-introduction of a strategic tier of spatial planning across England. Historic England wants to be at the forefront of ensuring that the next era of growth and change both protects and capitalises in our nation’s heritage, securing high quality character-led development.

This is a full time, permanent position based in Bristol with hybrid working. The Development Advice Teams assist local communities, including through local authority partners, in appreciating the significance of their local historic environment and its potential to deliver benefits for the community by promoting the effective use of the planning system at strategic and local levels.

As part of this team, the Historic Environment Planning Adviser takes delegated responsibility for providing Historic England’s advice to local authorities and other partners in the preparation and revision of development plans and other strategic planning documents. Applying the ethos of ‘constructive conservation’ and making effective use of Historic England’s guidance in all their advisory work, they will provide advice on strategic planning matters such as Spatial Development Strategies, Local Plans and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, as well as contributing to national and local guidance.

What you will be doing:

• To take responsibility for providing Historic England’s formal advice on the formulation of development plans and strategic planning work, with a particular focus on site allocations, to ensure that they set out an appropriate framework to conserve and manage sustainably the historic environment, delivering it to set timescales and to excellent customer service standards.
• To lead and where appropriate co-ordinate the response to other planning-related documents and strategies, including design, transport, minerals, waste, flood risk and coastal change, green infrastructure and financial contributions (e.g. Community Infrastructure Levy, S.106 planning obligations).
• To respond, on behalf of Historic England, to Strategic Environmental Assessments, Sustainability Appraisals and, working with the Development Advice team, to provide expertise on Environmental Impact Assessments to promote the sustainable management of the historic environment.
• To develop constructive relationships with Local Planning Authorities and with other relevant bodies in relation to the plan-making process to promote the sustainable management of the historic environment.
• To represent the organisation as an expert witness at Examinations in Public of Local Plans.
• To contribute to the review, development and dissemination of Historic England’s guidance relating to planning for the historic environment, both individually and in conjunction with colleagues.
• To inform Historic England’s response to emerging policy and practice of government and other bodies, and to assist with the corporate response to consultations from government and others.
• To be an effective advocate for the historic environment.
• To undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the grade and competencies required of the post requested by line management.

Please note that the role:

• The role requires occasional travel to sites not serviced by public transport.
• The role will require occasional attendance at community meetings which are usually held at evenings or weekends.

Who we are looking for:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in town planning or a closely related subject or significant experience in a relevant field.
• A thorough understanding of the national planning system and its legislative context at both the strategic and local level and its role in the sustainable management of the historic environment.
• Evidence of a track record in managing positive change to places.
• Good negotiating and influencing skills.
• Evidence of a track record of working constructively with Local Authorities organisations, developers and owners.

Please note your application will be scored and assessed against the above criteria. At Historic England we use a hiring system called Applied. Applied is a behavioural science-backed recruitment platform that reduces bias, improves quality of hire and increases diversity. We do not use CV application for the majority of our hiring processes. You will answer a selection of questions that allow our hiring teams to test your skills and suitability for the role. At Historic England, we value the expertise and individuality each candidate brings and want to hear about this in your own words. If you require the use or AI tools or other resources to support your application, we ask that all information is factually accurate, original, and reflects your own experience. To best represent yourself, we encourage you to write in your own words and use AI-generated content only as inspiration—not as direct input.

Provisional virtual interview dates: Early April 2026