Forestry and Landscape Officer in Stratford-upon-Avon

Based in the heart of Warwickshire, the beautiful district of Stratford‑on‑Avon is one of the most scenic and historical regions in the UK. Stratford‑on‑Avon District Council’s headquarters are located in the heart of William Shakespeare’s hometown. In the District you will find thriving market towns, home to over 135,000 residents and a tourist destination for millions of visitors each year from across the globe. We provide public services to residents, businesses and visitors across this magnificent region, making it a great place to live, work and visit.

Benefits:

• A minimum of 25 days of annual leave, plus Bank Holidays.
• Hybrid working arrangements with the flexibility to work from home for up to 60% of your hours (dependent upon the role).
• Flexi‑time scheme for a better work‑life balance.
• Health Cash Plan Scheme for medical and dental expenses.
• Eye test voucher scheme.
• Everyone Active Gym Membership discount.
• Training and Development opportunities.
• Payment of one professional subscription fee.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Access to free Will writing services.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Salary Sacrifice schemes e.g. Cycle to Work.
• Free town centre parking.

What to Expect in the Role:

You will join the existing team of Forestry and Landscape Officers, Urban Designers, and Conservation Officers within the Development Delivery Department of the Council, providing expert landscape advice to support the delivery of high‑quality and characteristic development from pre‑application to post‑application stages. You will work with the Planning Applications and Policy departments to inform decision‑making across the Council’s rural environment, comprising five main character areas, four Special Landscape Areas, and a portion of the Cotswold AONB. You will play an active role in negotiations on landscape impact for major development proposals, including appraising Landscape Visual Impact Assessments and advising on suitable design enhancements. Additionally, you will advise on the quality of trees which may be affected by new development proposals or otherwise under threat.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

• Provide specialist landscape and arboriculture advice across the Council’s Development service, including Planning Applications, Policy, and Enforcement.
• Work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team to negotiate on landscape impact for major planning applications.
• Support planning officers with detailed assessments and written advice on planning applications.
• Advise the Policy department on emerging and proposed documentation, including masterplans, development briefs, and authority‑wide strategies.
• Attend meetings, including Planning Committee, to provide specialist advice regarding landscape and arboriculture matters.
• Provide both written and oral expert evidence on behalf of the Local Planning Authority for planning appeals or prosecutions.

What You’ll Need:

• Degree or Post‑Graduate qualification in Landscape Architecture, Landscape Design and Management, Forestry or other relevant discipline.
• Chartered membership or working towards chartered membership of the Landscape Institute, the Institute of Chartered Foresters, the Arboricultural Association or other appropriate professional body.
• Good knowledge and experience of current landscape and arboriculture legislation, policy, and best practice.
• Experience of effective stakeholder engagement and/or providing detailed advice to members, officers, developers, and the public on landscape and arboriculture.
• Effective communication skills, including writing detailed comments on planning applications relating to landscape impact.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Alexander Folliss, Design, Landscape & Conservation Team Leader on 01789 260 348 or alex.folliss@stratford-dc.gov.uk. Applications will close at midnight on Monday 26th January 2026. Interviews will be held week beginning 9th February 2026.