Assistant Planner

The Planner Jobs Redactive Publishing Limited; England; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading planning consultancy firm in Bedfordshire is seeking an Assistant Planning Consultant/Planning Consultant. This role is integral to site identification and development assessment, helping clients navigate planning processes. Candidates should have strong organizational and research skills, alongside a proactive approach to learning about planning policy. The position offers a supportive team environment and significant opportunities for professional growth in planning consultancy.

Qualifications

• Experience in strategic planning, development assessment, and land promotion.
• Confidence in communicating with various stakeholders.
• Enthusiasm for developing technical skills.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to site identification and assessment.
• Meet with landowners, developers, and agents.
• Prepare site appraisals and planning strategy recommendations.
• Assist with planning applications and preparation of documents.
• Monitor Local Plan preparation and relevant consultations.
• Coordinate third-party consultants and technical inputs.
• Assist with materials for public consultations.

Skills

Strong organisational abilities

Research abilities

Communication Skills

Education

Progress towards professional qualifications (e.g., RTPI)

Job description

Job Title: Assistant Planning Consultant/Planning Consultant

Location: Bedfordshire

Salary: Up to £40,000 DOE

The Role

• Contribute to site identification and assessment, reviewing technical and policy constraints, Local Plan progress, and Neighbourhood Plans to determine development potential.
• Meet with landowners, developers, and agents to understand site opportunities, discuss planning considerations, and maintain a database of development requirements.
• Prepare site appraisals, early‑stage development assessments, and planning strategy recommendations to support land promotion and acquisition decisions.
• Assist senior planners with planning applications, pre‑app submissions, appeals, fee proposals, and preparation of supporting documents.
• Review enquiries, carry out policy research, and check reports for accuracy and alignment with planning policy and project strategy.
• Monitor Local Plan preparation, planning applications, and relevant consultations, helping to identify opportunities for client involvement.
• Help coordinate third‑party consultants, quotations, and supporting technical inputs.
• Assist with materials for public consultations and attend events, client meetings, stakeholder discussions, Parish Council sessions, and Planning Committee (with note‑taking responsibilities).

About You

You will be someone with experience in strategic planning, development assessment, and land promotion. You should be confident communicating with a range of stakeholders and enthusiastic about developing your technical skills.

• Demonstrate strong organisational and research abilities.
• Proactively learn about planning policy and legislation.
• Work towards professional qualifications (e.g., RTPI) with full support from the business.

Why Apply

This role offers an excellent pathway into planning consultancy, giving you exposure to both strategic and development management work, a wide variety of projects, and long‑term professional development opportunities within a supportive team.

To apply or find out more, please send your CV to Georgia Cookson or call 02393 876 099 for a confidential conversation.