• Are you looking for a career in spatial planning?
• Do you want to join a positive and ambitious team?
• Are you looking for working arrangements that enhance your work-life balance?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

We have an exciting opportunity within the Spatial and Transport Planning service for a Planning Assistant.

There has never been a more challenging – or rewarding – time to work for Richmond and Wandsworth.

About the role

You will take a key role in a small team of planning professionals in providing definitive and professional advice for the Councils. You will assist on an area of planning policy, including in providing policy advice on applications for development, and in the development of the two boroughs’ Local Plans. This also includes assisting on consultation and engagement tasks within the team. 

The complexity of projects you will get involved in will vary depending on your skills, knowledge and experience.

The role is based within the Richmond and Wandsworth Shared Staffing Arrangement and will involve working in both boroughs. 

You will:

• Actively contribute to the development of the Richmond and Wandsworth Local Plans.
• Assist on selected areas of planning policy, including on the examination process of the Wandsworth Local Plan and drafting of policies for the emerging Richmond Local Plan as well as contributing to research and justification to support emerging policy approaches.
• Assist in consultation and community engagement activities as part of your role; this will include detailed consultation and engagement with the general public during the Local Plan consultations, including with seldom-heard groups.
• Assist in providing policy advice on planning applications, pre-application advice requests and correspondence to agreed and identifiable timescales.
• Get actively involved in (and where appropriate lead on) specialist projects related to planning policy, including on producing evidence and research for the Local Plans, and its broader implementation within the borough, as allocated by senior officers / managers.

About You:

• You will need to demonstrate an awareness for planning issues and development, including an ability to write reports as well as read and interpret information.
• As you progress in your role, we will expect you to develop a good understanding of spatial planning, including on conducting research and analysing, interpreting and summarising large amounts of information.
• You will show a passion for the work we are doing and the drive to achieve great results with us.
• You will have the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to become self-reliant in dealing with technical issues.

Who we are

Wandsworth is a thriving Inner London Borough on the southern banks of the River Thames that is steeped in a diverse history. The borough features landmarks such as the iconic Battersea Power Station, Ram Brewery and Clapham Junction Station, and is acknowledged for its famous green spaces such as Wandsworth and Clapham Commons, Putney Heath and the Grade II* listed Battersea Park.

Richmond is arguably London’s most attractive borough with the River Thames running for over 10 miles through the borough, linking Hampton Court Palace, Richmond and Twickenham town centres and Kew Gardens with London. Richmond boasts Royal Parks and open spaces, historic houses, vibrant town centres bursting with life, as well as being the home of English rugby.

We are part of the Planning and Transport Strategy Division and the Spatial and Transport Planning Service under the wider Environment and Community Services Directorate.

We are positive and ambitious – When you join us, you’ll apply the same approach.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity in more detail, please contact Andrea Kitzberger-Smith, Spatial Planning and Design Team Manager on 020 8891 7364 or email a.kitzberger-smith@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk.

What do we offer

At Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, we care more about how you work and what you achieve, rather than where you work on any given day. The difference you can make to our local communities is what really matters most to us, service delivery must always come first. We have carefully considered agile ways of working to provide the best experience for residents, stakeholders and our staff. Our agile working strategy actively supports and encourages a dynamic work environment and daily working experience. Agile working helps put the needs of our staff at the centre of everything we do, so if specific flexible working arrangements helps you with this, feel free to let us know.

Your wellbeing and the flexible way in which you can work is and will remain a key priority for Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. We want you to thrive and feel empowered in your work!

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working including, working from home, compressed or part-time hours, term time only, job shares and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore. We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 39 paid days (pro rata) including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments.

Next steps and how to apply

Please register, submit your CV and a supporting statement addressing how you meet the requirements of this role. If you are having difficulty in applying online, please contact the Recruitment Team at recruitment@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk to see if we can offer alternative arrangements for you to apply.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date: Wednesday 30 November

Shortlisting Date: W/C 5 December

Interview Date: Wednesday 14 December

Useful Information:

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note that the advertised dates for interviews may change due to the current Covid-19 situation. If they do, we will let you know as soon as possible. Your health and wellbeing is our top priority. Should you become unwell due to Covid-19 during the recruitment process we would very much appreciate receiving an update from you as soon as possible.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

The application process for this campaign will be anonymised.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.