Volunteer Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Development Planning Assistant

What will you be doing?

Background:         Most construction projects require planning consent from the local planning authority who will assess them in the light of the protection policy for the canal and other local and national policies.  The development planning team function in the trust has three strands;

Monitoring planning applications by others and development information from other sources to identify projects that may cause concern or present an opportunity to the trust at the earliest opportunity and then lead consultation responses and interaction with the applicants to seek agreeable solutions. Working with other teams, notably land and engineering teams, and the relevant branch to support strategy and preparation of documents for planning applications for trust projects and follow through until the consent is achieved and any conditions on the consent are discharged. Promoting the interests of the canal restoration and operation in response to local authority consultations on changing polices and development plans.

Key tasks and activities: The Development Planning Assistant will work within the team and with other volunteers to perform the role including:

Monitoring directly local authority planning applications for a selected area Keep informed on upcoming developments and local plans or strategies that may affect the canal through local press, trust members, monitoring council meetings and activity etc Prepare written comments or objections to consultations on planning applications Assist in discussions with developers to protect or improve the support for the canal Follow through with submissions when a planning application goes to a public inquiry Assist project teams to develop strategies for gaining planning consent for their projects and advise on the processes and documentation needed Supporting the preparation of planning applications Monitor local council activity and committee actions that may impact on the protection of the canal, e.g. revisions to local plans or neighbourhood plans and development strategies Assist the trust to build professional relationships with planning officers and local councillors Experience of the development planning system Familiarity with the management of construction projects or other multi-faceted projects

What are we looking for?

Skills and resources required:

Capacity to collate, organise, store and distribute information from multiple sources Ability to establish good communication with other team members Competence with software for the management and presentation of data Access to personal computing facilities including reliable internet access

Preferred additional skills and knowledge:

Experience of the development planning system Familiarity with the management of construction projects or other multi-faceted projects

What difference will you make?

Your help and expertise will enable us to adapt and survive, to scope new possibilities, activities and ways of working.