Director of Planning

Job Title 

Director of Planning

Line Manager

Executive Director, Planning & Mineral Resources

Base Location

Home based with Hybrid option (London, NW1 3AD or Leicester, LE3 8DG)

The individual will form a core part of the Environment & Mineral Planning (E&MP) team within Mineral Products Association, ensuring the licence to operate of member companies is effectively represented through the mineral planning system at national, regional and local levels.

This will include being the lead industry representative on Aggregate Working Parties, monitoring and engaging with developing Mineral Local Plans and where necessary making representations to and attending Public Examinations to ensure policy positions are consistent with the requirements defined in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and associated Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).

• Being the lead MPA representative on the Aggregate Working Parties (AWPs) covering the East of England, East & West Midlands and Yorkshire & Humberside.  Liaising with member companies to make timely representation on Local Aggregate Assessments to the responsible mineral planning authority and to the AWP.
• Participate on the National Aggregate Coordinating Group convened by DLUHC and provide support to the successful delivery of government-sponsored Aggregate Mineral surveys.
• Monitor and make representations on developing Mineral Local Plans in nominated AWP regions in liaison with member companies to ensure emerging Plans are making adequate provision for minerals and are in accordance with NPPF and PPG. Support MPA engagement with developing MLPs outside of nominated AWP regions as required.
• Participate in and attend Public Examinations relating to Local Mineral Plans on behalf of members and respond to Matters and Issues raised by the Planning Inspector by providing written representations. Advocate industry position with Inspector as required to ensure consistency of approach between authorities and ensure compliance with the NPPF and PPG.
• Provide expert advice to member companies with issues arising around matters of principle relating to site issues e.g. safeguarding policy.
• Informal liaison with mineral planning authorities and other relevant stakeholders to maintain awareness around MPA initiatives e.g. mineral economic issues relevant to area, quarries and nature/restoration matters, and generally assist with information that help them policy that does unduly impact the sector.
• Maintain engagement and communication with planning, estate and resource representatives within member companies to develop relationships and understand their needs to ensure service delivery.

In addition to the regional responsibilities:

• Support wider E&MP team engagement with national planning policy and guidance developments and consultations and wider environmental permitting issues. To include the preparation of the Annual Mineral Planning Survey undertaken by MPA, the work of the water, waste and biodiversity E&MP work groups and support for defined MPA Product Groups.
• Lead on a topic basis for wider E&MP issues as required. This will require the need to liaise with other MPA officers and member companies to ensure all relevant views are understood and effectively represented on behalf of the industry. This may entail working with Associate Members who have topic expertise to bolster responses with expert opinion.
• Support Director of Membership in delivering MPA Regional Meetings, sourcing presenters for meetings and events and encouraging new membership.
• Contribute to the wider MPA meeting cycle, with written contributions, attendance and reporting in support of the E&MP committee, regional meetings and Council.
• Attend and assist as required MPA national events and conferences including the annual MPA/RTPI mineral planning conference.

Although there is a strong central England focus associated with the mineral planning responsibilities for the Aggregate Working Party areas that are defined, there will be the need to support the activities of the E&MP team nationwide.

Consequently, there will be a need to travel around the country to meet work needs as required. This may include the need to occasionally be away from home overnight.

• Educated to degree level in geology or earth sciences, preferably with a relevant professional qualification in a planning or environmental management related discipline.
• Expert knowledge of the UK minerals sector and specifically local plan development and development control, estates management or minerals development.
• Strong written, presentation and advocacy skills, alongside the ability to build and develop trusted relationships.
• A willingness to proactively lead discussions, to listen and to reflect in order to build consensus positions.
• Self-motivated, focussed and conscious of detail with the ability to work equally well on a self-sufficient basis and as part of a small multi-disciplinary team.