Senior Design and Conservation Officer

TfL, GLA or OPDC

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Oxford Street Development Corporation is establishing a new planning service for one of Central London’s most significant and high-profile locations. As Senior Design and Conservation Officer, you will play a leading role in embedding a design-led approach across OSDC’s planning function. You will provide specialist advice on urban design, architecture, heritage, conservation, townscape and public realm matters, supporting high-quality outcomes across pre-application discussions, planning applications, enforcement matters, policy development and the preparation of design briefs and guidance. This is a key role in helping OSDC establish itself as a design-led Local Planning Authority, ensuring that growth and investment are matched by excellence in architecture, heritage, public realm, accessibility and placemaking. The OSDC area contains a significant number of designated and non-designated heritage assets, as well as nationally important retail, commercial, cultural and public realm environments. The role will therefore require someone who can balance heritage significance with ambitious regeneration, accessibility, sustainability and placemaking objectives. Working closely with development management, policy, infrastructure and delivery colleagues, you will support the Head of Planning Delivery and Place Shaping in establishing a planning service known for pace, quality, clarity and design leadership. You will also help support OSDC’s Planning Quality Review Group and wider design review processes, ensuring that design advice is clear, robust, constructive and capable of shaping better development as well as contribute to wider policy development, including preparation of the OSDC Local Plan.

Requirements

Degree level qualification in architecture, urban design, conservation, planning, built environment, historic environment or another relevant discipline.
Membership, or eligibility for membership, of a relevant professional body such as RIBA, RTPI, IHBC, Urban Design Group, Design Council Expert Network or equivalent professional experience.
Experience of providing design and/or conservation advice on complex planning applications, pre-application proposals, listed building matters, design briefs, development frameworks or planning guidance.
Experience of managing a caseload of heritage related planning applications, including listed building applications and associated consents.
Strong understanding of heritage legislation, planning policy, architectural history and statutory development management processes.
Good understanding of planning legislation, heritage legislation, national and London planning policy, design policy and statutory development management processes.
Strong communication, analytical and negotiation skills, with the ability to balance design quality, heritage significance, regeneration objectives, deliverability and public value.

Responsibilities

Lead on design, heritage, conservation, townscape and public realm matters across OSDC’s planning service.
Provide specialist design and conservation advice on pre-application enquiries, planning applications, listed building matters, enforcement cases and emerging policy work.
Prepare, commission or contribute to design briefs, development frameworks, site guidance and other design-led material to support high-quality development across the OSDC area.
Support the operation of OSDC’s Planning Quality Review Group and any related design review processes, including preparing briefs, reviewing material, advising officers and helping ensure recommendations are followed through.
Assess proposals for their impact on design quality, heritage significance, setting, townscape, public realm, accessibility, sustainability and placemaking outcomes.
Work collaboratively with applicants, agents, design teams, Historic England, local authorities, amenity societies, community groups and other stakeholders to secure positive and deliverable design outcomes.
Provide clear design and heritage advice to officers, senior management, members and Planning Committee where required.
Contribute to the preparation of the OSDC Local Plan, design policies, guidance, characterisation work and wider service improvement.