Lead Conservation Officer

Croydon has a surprisingly rich and varied built heritage. This includes the highly significant Old Palace School (former Archbishop’s Palace) and 16th century Whitgift Almshouses (both Grade I Listed), as well as a particularly fine concentration of Victorian architecture in the town centre. The borough is diverse, ranging from dense London suburban development in the Crystal Palace area in the north, to historic villages set in leafy green belt to the south.  We are also increasingly being recognised for our 20th century heritage, including post-war development in the metropolitan centre, 1970s suburban development at St Bernards and the Kenley Battle of Britain aerodrome.

Croydon hasn’t seen expansion like we are currently experiencing since the 1960s. We’re already well underway with some £5bn of investment that will be completed over the next few years. This post offers a unique and exciting opportunity to join Croydon’s Spatial Planning Service, and Placemaking team within it, which brings together the disciplines of conservation, urban design, architecture, landscape architecture and planning policy. Our task is to champion the heritage of Croydon, guide heritage-led regeneration, enable good design & placemaking more broadly, and provide a co-ordinated approach to the planning and delivery of high quality sustainable development across the borough.

About the Role

You will be involved in a wide range of Spatial Planning, Placemaking and Development Management projects including strategic plans, applications and capital projects. You will lead in placing heritage at the heart of the borough’s plans for the future and its growth.

You will be required to manage and undertake a range of tasks related to heritage protection and building conservation, including:

• Providing specialist conservation advice for pre-application enquiries, planning applications, appeals and enforcement
• Monitoring the Heritage at Risk registers and working to facilitate removal of assets from them
• Maintaining lists of designated heritage assets
• Producing Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans
• Updating the borough’s Local List of historic buildings
• Contribution to the design and delivery of built environment projects and funding bids led by the Placemaking Team and other council teams
• Contribution to future income generation for the team through internal and external projects and funding bids
• Championing heritage and heritage led growth and development in the borough within the council and through external networks
• Managing a Conservation Project Officer in the team
• Managing, supporting and providing conservation and heritage services to projects associated with the Local Plan and the Local Development Framework including masterplans, urban design studies and SPDs

You will demonstrate an in depth understanding of current legislation, policy, guidance and best practice in relation to planning and heritage protection. You will be able to demonstrate conservation and heritage-related professional experience and passion for the historic environment.

You will have competent practitioner level understanding of project management, conservation and heritage, planning and design processes and methodologies equivalent to appropriate professional qualifications.

In addition to the person specification, the successful candidate will also be proactive, motivated, innovative and able to prioritise a varied and challenging work programme. Excellent communication skills are essential due to the high level of internal and external stakeholder engagement.

To apply, and for further details, please apply via the council’s webpage:

(insert direct link to application)

If you have further questions please email Anisha Jogani (anisha.jogani@croydon.gov.uk) or Steve Dennington (steve.dennington@croydon.gov.uk)

Hours – 36 Hours per week (full time)

Closing date Thursday 15 April 2021, (11:59pm)

Working for Croydon

• Up to 30 Days annual leave (depending on length of service) plus Bank Holidays
• Pension – Local Government Pension Scheme
• Career development/learning/training opportunities
• We also promote professional membership of relevant bodies (e.g. IHBC) and cover the associated costs

Equalities and Safeguarding Statement

Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements. 

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.