Sustainable Development Higher Officer - ( Ref : 6552 )

The team works across the four counties of Yorkshire and in northern Lincolnshire, sweeping down from the uplands of the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors and the South Pennines. It encompasses the urban and industrial areas of South and West Yorkshire and the agricultural lowlands of the East Riding, before reaching the beautiful Yorkshire Coast and the Humber Estuary. Within these diverse landscapes we provide evidence-based advice to Local Planning Authorities and developers on terrestrial planning applications, Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and Local Plans that have the potential to impact on nationally and internationally designated sites (e.g. SSSIs, SACs, SPAs). We review environmental assessments and provide advice on mitigation measures to ensure our iconic designated sites across Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire are protected. Alongside this we work closely with local decision-makers to embed nature in spatial planning and place-based strategies, helping develop strategic solutions to improve environmental outcomes on a larger scale and contribute to Nature Recovery. You will be joining a passionate, knowledgeable and supportive team that plays a key role in shaping major development and planning decisions across the area. This is a challenging and rewarding role, offering opportunities to build expertise in complex casework while developing a broad range of professional capabilities.

As a Sustainable Development Higher Officer, you will coordinate and provide statutory environmental advice on major plans and projects. This includes development management cases under the Town and Country Planning system, Local Plans and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. Working and building strong relations with statutory bodies, government agencies, developers and consultants, you will support nature recovery by helping shape plans and projects, embedding nature from the outset, streamline the development process and secure better and bigger outcomes. The role involves time critical statutory work that is complex and, at times, contentious. You will assess evidence to support clear decisions, work with others to improve plans where needed, and help reduce risks while delivering better outcomes for nature. This will include managing constructive relationships with partners and working closely with colleagues across Natural England to find pragmatic solutions. You will be line managed by a Senior Manager within the Area Team, with functional direction and technical support provided by the team’s Sustainable Development Senior Officers, to support development and ensure consistency with national standards and priorities.

The Post Holder Will:

• Lead on the delivery of Natural England’s statutory advice on major plans and projects, including development management, Local Plans and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. This includes assessing Environmental Impact Assessments, Habitats Regulations Assessments and supporting technical evidence within statutory timescales to provide timely, pragmatic, evidence-based and legally robust advice that secures the best possible outcomes for nature.
• Take ownership of complex High Risk and High Opportunity plans and casework, coordinating input across Natural England to ensure consistent, high-quality advice.
• Act as a key point of contact for regulators and developers on allocated cases, building effective working relationships to resolve complex planning issues.
• Work proactively with partners to support strategic solutions that deliver nature recovery at scale, including biodiversity net gain and high quality green and blue infrastructure.
• Respond to post consent and discharge of condition consultations including Development Consent Orders, planning permissions and licences.
• Identify and escalate risks associated with the delivery of environmental planning advice and ensure strong governance and record keeping.
• Participate in relevant internal networks to ensure personal development and the timely exchange of information and best practice and identifying more effective ways of working through collating lessons learned.

Technical Skills and Knowledge:

• Sound knowledge of relevant environmental and planning legislation including the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, the Town and Country Planning Act and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
• Proven experience of applying environmental legislation and policy to development and plan making, including Habitats Regulations Assessment, Sustainability Appraisals and Environmental Impact Assessments.
• Good understanding of the English planning system and decision making processes, including experience of or exposure to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, Local Plans or Town and Country Planning cases (Development Management).
• Ability to interpret technical evidence and provide clear, proportionate and legally robust advice to planning authorities, decision makers and developers.
• A degree or professional qualification in environmental science, ecology, planning or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant applied experience.
• Understanding of how local planning authorities operate and make decisions.
• Ecological or environmental management knowledge relevant to the assessment of development impacts and opportunities for nature recovery.

Personal Effectiveness:

• Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgement and evidence (Practitioner).
• Act with integrity, addressing challenging issues and managing conflict through being open and objective (Practitioner).
• Share expertise and knowledge with people and networks so that you can develop together (Basic).

Putting People at the Heart of the Environment:

• Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and the organisation you represent (Practitioner).
• Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver the organisation’s vision, mission and aims (Practitioner).

Work Delivery:

• Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines (Practitioner).
• Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies, and procedures (Practitioner).

These roles require office attendance of a minimum of 20% of the working time – one day per week for those who work full time, subject to any reasonable adjustments and/or existing contractual homeworking.