Spatial Planner

National Highways have an exciting opportunity for a Spatial Planner to join our team in the Bristol region. The Spatial Planner will play an active and responsive role in the planning system by taking a proactive approach, helping to ensure that new developments are well located and planned for, and the travel demands they create are also managed and sustainable for the strategic road network.

The Spatial Planner will also work with local partners to understand and address the transport impact of spatial planning aspirations and with developers to identify what works are necessary on the network to mitigate the transport impact created. Cooperating with Local Planning Authorities and relevant stakeholders in the development of local plans and strategic growth plans. Discharge our statutory responsibilities within the planning process, including the commissioning of specialist consultant support where necessary.

Apply specialist knowledge to evaluate the potential impact and implications of the more complex planning applications on the Strategic Road Network to enable a measured, robust and informed response to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the SRN is maintained. Manage ongoing liaison with key external stakeholders, through attendance at local planning meetings and other planning or discussion forums, providing evidence-based and transparent guidance and advice on future local plans, as well as sharing information of National Highways emerging strategies and future development works for the region. Attend and represent the Region at public examinations, appeals and public inquiries.

Work closely with internal and external partners to identify and secure funding opportunities for improvements to the network in support of economic growth e.g. through developer contributions or the Growth and Housing fund.

About You:

• Demonstrable experience and understanding of spatial planning and associated legislation including development management.
• Proven practical understanding of the complex requirements of infrastructure development programmes and the prioritisation of needs in order to develop, manage and maintain a safe and efficient world-class asset.
• Qualified Town Planner or Transport Planner, or equivalent professional experience (Chartership or willing to work towards is desirable).
• Experience of working with local planning and highway authorities, local enterprise partnerships within a political landscape supported by evidence of working successfully with a wide range of officials within such external stakeholder organisations.
• Excellent stakeholder management, both internally and externally.

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England's motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.

Operations is at the heart of keeping the strategic road network moving and ensuring our customers get the best possible experience when using our roads. We address over 39,000 customer enquiries every month, plan and deliver all maintenance activities on the network, drive efficiencies and improvements across our systems and roads, and respond to incidents across 4,500 miles of motorways and major A-roads that we manage. All to make sure National Highways customers have safer, smoother, and more reliable journeys.

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.