Strategic Transport & Development Planner - Highway Services
Ashford, Kent
Full time
To start as soon as possible

Connect2Kent is the Managed Service provider for Kent County Council and are also wholly owned by them.


Work with nominated District Councils in the production of their Local Plan which reflect the development needs of the areas whilst securing the provision of appropriate transport solutions, having regard for the County Council's strategic transport objectives.

Ensure that an appropriate Integrated Transport Strategy for the delivery of the transport infrastructure needed to support the district/borough Local Plan is in place and costed to inform negotiations with developers. Work with District Councils to ensure that their Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging mechanism will secure funding for the necessary infrastructure.

Work closely with appropriate external stakeholders (such as developers and public transport providers) to ensure that private sector investment in transport infrastructure is maximised and that the wider community is fully engaged in the Local Plan process.

Work with developers and District Councils to ensure that site-specific infrastructure funding is targeted in a way which provides the most effective use of money whilst balancing the competing needs of the area. Liaise with the County and LPA legal divisions for the preparation of Section 106 Agreements and management delivery of the infrastructure improvement.

Establish and maintain close co-operation with the Highways Agency as appropriate for the District Council planning teams.

Work with Highways & Transportation and other County Council colleagues to ensure that Local Plans are consistent (in context) in their approach to transport matters and take into account national and local planning and technical guidance.

Represent the County Council at relevant committees and boards and other appropriate public meetings, as directed by the Transport & Development Manager.

Represent the County Council and District Councils at relevant Public Inquiries and other formal hearings as necessary to support the Highways & Transportation aspects of the Local Plan process and Development Management.

Commission and manage the necessary transport modelling work to evaluate the implications of alternative development options.

Liaise with Local Members and ensure their involvement in the Local Plan and Transport Strategy process as appropriate.

Manage the Highway Transportation input to the nominated District Councils' Development Management processes, allocating necessary staff resources and working directly with District Councils on major proposals.

Appraise, mentor and support Development Planning Engineers as directed, including participation in training and skills sharing.

Support the investigation of innovative and alternative approaches to Development Planning and appropriate translation into countywide policies and guidance, maintaining an awareness of national and regional developments in understanding and local engagement with communities.

Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation.

Ensure complaints are managed sympathetically and in line with KCC procedures and that complaints management is used to maintain and develop customer service and standards.

Any other tasks and project work directed by the Development Planning Manager.


Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience:

Qualified to at least NVQ Level 5 in a Planning & Transport discipline.

Significant experience in Development Planning and/or Transport Planning, plus the use of relevant computer applications. Proven experience of budget management.

Skills and Abilities:

Ability to negotiate confidently on behalf of the County Council and District Council partners.

Confidence and personal presence sufficient to represent the Authorities at public meetings, Public Inquiries, formal hearings and other meetings with developers, communities etc.

Ability to pull together a range of often conflicting concepts in a coordinated way.

Good communication and presentation skills.

A good team player with a 'can do' attitude and a track record of partnership working.

For more information please contact Alison Harper on 01622 236748 or email alison.harper@connect2kent.co.uk www.connect2staff.co.uk

Closing date Monday 14th December 2015
Connect2Staff is an agency acting as an employment business and as an equal opportunity agency.