Heritage Consultant
Location: Bourne End, Buckinghamshire
Job Type: Full:time but part:time considered
Flexible Working: 3 days office based, 2 days working from home
About Us:
Penguin recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading Town Planning and Heritage Consultancy, renowned for helping clients and landowners successfully navigate the planning process and deliver property development projects. Our team works primarily with businesses, including major hotel, restaurant, and coffee shop chains, house builders, land promoters, breweries, banks, sports and leisure operators, retailers, property developers, and private healthcare organisations. We also work with public sector clients, including housing associations.
Role Overview:
We are looking for a passionate and knowledgeable Heritage Consultant to join an expanding heritage consultancy team. The successful candidate will provide expert heritage and archaeological advice to both internal teams and external clients. You will collaborate with planners, developers, architects, and local authorities to ensure all projects comply with heritage legislation, national planning policy, and best practices.
Key Responsibilities:
* Provide specialist advice on heritage and archaeology matters, ensuring compliance with planning policies and legislation.
* Prepare Heritage Statements, Archaeological Desk:Based Assessments, Impact Assessments, and other documentation for planning and listed building consent applications.
* Assess the significance of historic buildings, sites, and landscapes, advising clients on how to enhance, preserve, or mitigate potential harm to these assets.
* Liaise with local planning authorities, Historic England, and other stakeholders to negotiate heritage:related planning matters.
* Conduct site visits and heritage appraisals to assess potential impacts of proposed developments on heritage assets.
* Advise on conservation best practices, including appropriate materials and repair methods to help clients manage changes to their heritage assets.
* Stay up:to:date with relevant heritage legislation, policy changes, and best practices.
* Support clients through the entire planning process, from pre:application advice to managing post:consent conditions.
* Delegate work to junior staff as appropriate to ensure efficiency and support their professional development.
* Proactively identify new business opportunities and manage relationships with new and existing clients.
* Represent the company at networking events to promote services and generate new leads.
* Create LinkedIn content to showcase successes and promote areas of interest related to your role.
* Maintain accurate records using Coretime and ensure proper fee forecasting and WIP reporting.
Key Skills and Experience:
* A degree in Archaeology, Architecture, Planning, or a related discipline.
* Experience working in a heritage consultancy, planning consultancy, or a similar role.
* Experience in writing appeal statements and attending hearings.
* Strong knowledge of UK heritage legislation, including the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
* Proven experience in preparing heritage assessments and statements.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information effectively to clients, stakeholders, and local authorities.
* Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
* Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while working collaboratively within a team.
* Membership of CIfA or IHBC is desirable.
Why Join?
* Be part of a supportive, expert team of planners and heritage professionals.
* Excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression.
* If you are passionate about heritage and enjoy helping clients create positive change in the planning sector, wed love to he