Senior Urban Designer (Active Travel and Green Infrastructure)

Dartford is in the Borough of Kent adjoining London, located on the rivers Thames and Darent.  Dartford’s connections and infrastructure are more than just the Dartford crossing. Dartford rail station, adjacent the Council offices, is the busiest in the County, part of the TfL Oyster card area, it links to a wide range of stations in London and in Kent via Thameslink and other services. In addition, Ebbsfleet International Rail Station (17mins to London) is located in the east of the Borough; there are good bus services, including TfL buses serving the area; as well as the Fastrack rapid transit system. Our focus is very much on sustainable development, minimising car use, and complementary new infrastructure including active travel routes. Dartford is one of the very fastest growing districts in the country, from planned new and extended communities on brownfield land. As a place of choice for international, national and local businesses, as well as hosting Bluewater shopping centre and the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation; the Borough is a varied and exciting place for a career in urban design and landscape architecture. We are now planning to 2037, and our focus is on Dartford Town Centre and securing large mixed use residential-led redevelopment in and around the town, as well as public realm and transport-related improvements.  Dartford also has a significant area of Green Belt and complementing the growth in the urban area of the Borough, we are keen to protect and promote areas such as our ancient woodlands, river valleys, marshland, North Downs, Country Parks, Darent Valley footpath and public rights of way.

This is a new role with the opportunity for the post holder to co-ordinate provision of an active travel and green infrastructure network. You have the chance to make this post your own, leading on projects for improved walking and cycling routes, and ensuring that new development contributes to this network and improves environmental quality, in a rapidly changing Borough. Experience of landscape architecture and urban design in an urban area is essential, and ideally you will have a qualification in landscape architecture in order to complement and add to the skills in the wider team.  You will work with a variety of professionals, linking other projects; identifying and promoting funding opportunities; and driving delivery.  You will need to have good people skills and project management skills. 

The role sits within Planning Services, where you will be working alongside other planners and urban designers. As a small team there are plenty of chances to get involved in, and potentially lead on, a variety of projects and we are expecting this post holder to do just that. If you want to be part of a planning team that considers the “big picture” but delivers on detail we are keen to hear from you.

If you would like to speak to someone about this post please contact Peter Croft, Principal Urban Designer on 01322 343206. 

You should have a RQF Level 8 (postgraduate) qualification in Architecture, Landscape Architecture or Urban Design.