Deadline for submission of applications: 15:00hrs on 11th October 2024
The Welsh Government (WG) Peatland Restoration and Land Use Planning Unit is seeking a PhD student for a placement opportunity. The Team is responsible for Best and Most Versatile (BMV)[1] land protection policy, mineral & waste reclamation to agriculture and peatland restoration.
We would like a soil scientist PhD placement to review the current available soil and planning guidance in England and Wales and assess the relevance of the guidance for a Welsh context. Currently the most widely used guidance includes:
- Construction Code of Practice for the Sustainable Use of soils on Construction Sites[1] (Defra)
- Good Practice Guide for Handling Soils in Mineral Workings[2] (Institute of Quarrying)
- A New Perspective on Land and Soil in Environmental Impact Assessment[3] (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA))
- LA109 – Geology and soils (2019)[4]
- SEPA Guidance on Peat
- Defra Mineral Planning Guidance – Guide to reclaiming mineral extraction and landfill sites to agriculture – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Natural England, Environment Agency & GoV.UK website information related to soil use in development
- Unpublished documents in the WG archive
As land use change pressures are a key threat for Welsh soil we would like the PhD placement to explore what the findings from the review of soils and planning guidance would mean for including land use change in a future Soil Policy Statement.
Purpose of the Post
The post holder will undertake a review of existing soil and planning guidance for England and Wales to identify appropriate measures for a Welsh context, i.e. what could and should Wales adopt and what would need adapting to a specific Welsh context. The post holder will be supported by the Team to review the existing guidance and produce a report of their findings, including any recommendations. The post holder will be encouraged to develop their own ideas supported by the WG Soil Policy Team.
The intention is to host a placement for a 3-month period, although longer placements of up to six months would be considered.
Key Tasks
• Identify and review existing soil and planning guidance for England and Wales
• Where relevant liaise with other policy teams in WG, UK Government and devolved nations
• Produce report and recommendations
• Development of longer-term policy direction The post holder could become involved in other work areas where they have a specific interest.
The post holder could become involved in other work areas where they have a specific interest.