Senior Conservation Officer – closing date 28.05.2026

Salary from £44,265 to £49,269pa depending on skills and experience.
Plus lease car subsidy or cash alternative of £3,050pa.
Permanent – Full time – 37 hour per week.

We offer: Hybrid working, salary-linked pension scheme and generous holiday entitlement.
Location: Ashford, Kent 

Are you motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the protection and enhancement of the historic environment? 

This role offers the chance to work across a wide-ranging portfolio of projects involving historic buildings, conservation areas, and heritage assets. 

Ashford is home to 43 conservation areasand around 2,200 listed buildings, including 130 Grade II* and 52 Grade I listed buildings. You will play a key role in ensuring that new development positively reflects this rich and distinctive heritage, helping to shape decision‑making across the borough. 

The post offers significant variety and challenges, with a high volume of complex and rewarding casework. You will also take a leading role in drafting and progressing a new Heritage Strategy as part of the emerging Local Plan, alongside reviewing and updating our Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans (CAAMPs).  

If you are seeking a senior position where your expertise can drive high‑quality outcomes and influence the future of a diverse and historic borough, we would like to hear from you. 

Ashford Borough offers a varied range of opportunities within a rich and diverse historic landscape. The boroughs extensive rural surroundings host a large number of highly attractive small historic settlements as well as the two major market towns of Ashford and Tenterden. All boast well defined historic cores, each contributing to the distinctive character, identity, and visual quality of the area.

The Council are looking for an experienced conservation officer to play a senior role in protecting, enhancing, and shaping Ashford’s historic built environment. You will be part of a supportive, collaborative Planning Service, helping to shape the future while respecting the past.

You will have a varied workload that shall include:

• Providing expert advice on formal and informal planning submissions, listed building applications, appeals, and enforcement matters.
• Leading on complex and sensitive listed building cases.
• Advising on design considerations for proposals affecting Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings and major schemes across the Borough.
• Offering strategic guidance on the preservation of buildings of historic or architectural significance.
• Developing the Council’s emerging Heritage Strategy, as well as guiding future policies, design codes and informal guidance.
• Leading and reviewing Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans.
• Preparing bids for national heritage funding programmes (e.g. THI, HERS).
• Representing the Council at public meetings including Planning Committee, Town, Parish and Community Council meetings, and other user/stakeholder group meetings as required.
• Giving expert evidence on architectural and design matters at planning appeals and inquiries
• Representing the Council at the Kent Conservation Officers Forum.

You shall be expected to possess strong negotiation and design skills, with the ability to clearly articulate your view and to work pro-actively with a case officer(s) to generate consensus to ensure joined up decision making. 

In order to thrive in this role, you shall have a relevant degree in conservation, planning, or a related discipline and Full IHBC membership, along with having:

• A demonstrable track record handling listed building appeals.
• Strong experience negotiating complex listed building applications and enforcement matters.
• Excellent understanding of legislation and case law relating to listed buildings.
• Strong knowledge of architectural history, traditional construction, and repair methods.
• Confident IT user with familiarity across relevant systems.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.

In addition, you will need to have a full driving licence and the ability to attend construction sites and access buildings safely.

Working from third‑party or partner sites may be required from time to time.

Click to view a Job Description

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Daniel Carter, Spatial Planning Manager, on 01233 330238

Click To apply

When applying - Please ensure that you have received confirmation of a submitted application once completed. For any assistance in completing the application form, please email [email protected]

Hybrid Working - We are an organisation that puts people first and understands how important employee wellbeing is. We want to help you to balance your working life and home life and offer flexible ways of working to help structure your life in a positive and productive way; both at home and in the office. This maximises personal development and collaborative working.       

Competitive remuneration package - We offer an excellent salary linked pension scheme, generous annual leave with flexi time, free life insurance, supportive relocation package and opportunities for training and development.

With devolution news and talks evolving across the country for local authorities, we understand that there may be some uncertainty for those currently serving within the sector. Although Kent and Medway have not been included in the Devolution Priority Programme, discussions continue in this area.  Kent, Medway and all District and Borough Councils in the South East will continue to work closely with each other to deliver vital services to our communities.  This is an exciting, but stable time to join our organisation.

Ashford Borough Council recognises the need to ensure the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when they come into contact with the services we provide

We welcome applications form the Armed Forces Community