Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the new roles we have in the Planning, Sustainability and Infrastructure Service. At Basingstoke and Deane we are growing the planning service. We are able to do this as we are one of the most financially resilient councils in the country, despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our service has had enviable stability for some time with limited opportunities coming available in our Planning Policy team. There are a number of roles we have created so that we are well positioned and maintain working to a high professional standard. So we can be more effective we have brought together our infrastructure planning, design work, planning policy and neighbourhood planning roles. Growing the planning policy team with a multi-disciplinary focus, making the best use of our skills, and being able to adapt as and when there are changes and varied demands, will be our strength.

We are also at a key stage in preparing our Local Plan Update. Our Regulation 18 consultation is planned for late Summer this year, and so you would be joining the service at an exciting time, as we are making plans for the borough through to 2040. Your skills will always be developing, as you will be involved in preparing the new planning policy framework with the principles of climate change, infrastructure led, and the environment at its heart.

The borough is unique with our main town Basingstoke being the home of many major businesses and investment, well connected with easy access to London and other major cities. The beautiful hinterland features smaller towns and settlements, with the North Wessex AONB, chalk streams and tributaries connecting the Borough with those specially protected areas in the Solent. The borough has a new garden community, large expansion sites, town centre developments, heritage and conservation assets. These attributes bring varied interest, and you will never be waiting for the next opportunity, as it is already here.

I am interested in hearing from you if you think this is something you would like to be part of. As a service we are interested in everyone reaching their full potential. Through our training, support and management this is an authority in which you can develop and grow.

I wish you the very best of luck in your application.

Ruth Ormella
Head of Planning, Sustainability and Infrastructure

Joanne Brombley
Planning Policy Manager