Ashford lies in the heart of the Garden of England and yet is embracing growth with its ambitious plans for the future. This means it has more than its fair share of large-scale proposals to deal with.

Ashford’s Planning and Development Service has a long and proud record of driving high quality place making. This is strongly supported by elected members and acknowledged as an essential component in the delivery of successful development and growth. 

Our Strategic Applications team deal with a range of high profile schemes from large greenfield residential and mixed use proposals to town centre regeneration schemes which draw on the full range of planning and design skills. The team also plays the leading role in the planning and delivery of the South of Ashford Garden Community – an urban extension of over 7,000 new dwellings alongside a new strategic park, new schools and health facilities.

We are now looking to fill a range of posts in the team to cover the increasing scope of major projects that are being attracted to the borough.

For this role you will be managing a team dealing with the most complex schemes in the borough where a high degree of corporate working is needed right through to delivery on site and beyond.

We are looking for a candidate who has demonstrated taking a proactive lead role in handling complex and high-profile applications and who has a track record in delivering high quality developments through excellent working relationships with partners and key stakeholders. You will be able to show how you have applied advanced negotiating skills to secure the best possible outcomes in terms of scheme quality, including the delivery of infrastructure through Section 106 Agreements.

You should also have significant post qualification experience at senior level of dealing with large scale planning applications and development sites, and a proven track record of delivering and negotiating major planning applications and s106 agreements.

As a primary point of contact for councillors, public and the press in respect of the team work you will be required to attend Parish Council, amenity groups and other public meetings as required.

Providing strong and consistent leadership to your team, you will be delivering a first class development management service ensuring that the service performs to an excellent level with a strong customer focus.

You should hold a planning degree or a degree in a related discipline plus post-graduate planning qualification and be a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

As part of our competitive remuneration package, we offer a pension scheme, generous annual leave, relocation package, flexible working, flexitime and opportunities for training and development.

For an informal discussion please contact Simon Cole, Spatial Planning Manager & Acting Strategic Development & Delivery Manager, on 01233 330642 or simon.cole@ashford.gov.uk

For more information about Ashford Borough Council please visit our website

To apply: please visit the jobs page of our website  and complete an application.

Closing date: 22.11.2020

Ashford Borough Council recognises the need to ensure the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when they come into contact with the services we provide.