Town Planning Consultant

Wardell Armstrong LLP (part of SLR); Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy is seeking a skilled Town Planner to join their team in Cardiff. The role involves managing projects, advising clients, and preparing planning submissions, with opportunities for career growth across various development stages. Ideal candidates will have a relevant degree and strong project management skills, and will benefit from a hybrid working arrangement and comprehensive perks.

Benefits

Hybrid home/office working arrangement

Group Personal Pension Plan with up to 5% employer contribution

Payment of relevant professional subscriptions

24 days annual leave

Private Healthcare Scheme

Critical Illness Cover Policy

Life Assurance Policy (3 times annual salary)

Mobile phone with inclusive tariff for personal use

Regular training programmes

Flexitime working schedule

Long service awards

Employee Assistance Programme

Travel loans

Cycle to work scheme

Recruitment bounty scheme

Qualifications

• Chartered member status of the Royal Town Planning Institute or working towards it.
• Experience with renewable energy projects is advantageous.
• Understanding of UK planning systems.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and editing documents for planning submissions.
• Managing several projects simultaneously.
• Advising clients on minimizing planning risks.

Skills

Project management

Report writing

Technical skills

Stakeholder communication

Education

Degree in Town Planning

Postgraduate qualification in Town Planning

Job description

Following its recent acquisition by SLR, Wardell Armstrong forms part of a leading global environmental and sustainability consultancy working on projects across the world from over 100 offices. Starting as a UK business in 1994, SLR now operates as a global company with more than 3,500 people, delivering client-focused solutions across Europe, North America, Pacific Asia and Africa. Throughout this time, SLR has strived to grow both organically and through welcoming other like-minded businesses, such as Wardell Armstrong, into its "One Team" of talented consultants. Its core objective is to assist clients and colleagues alike in "Making Sustainability Happen".

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Town Planner to join our team. We are flexible on experience and welcome candidates at all career stages, including Junior to Senior (typically 2 to 5 years' experience), and Principal to Associate Director (typically 8 to 15 years' experience).

This role suits a talented, highly collaborative Planning Consultant who enjoys taking responsibility and leading projects. Working within a multi-disciplinary team, the role requires an excellent eye for detail in reviewing and approving submissions of EIA and non-EIA planning applications. Experience with EIA projects and working on Developments of National Significance and Development Consent Order schemes would be advantageous. Experience of plan promotion, appeals, and public inquiries would also be desirable, depending on the candidate's knowledge and career stage.

The ideal candidate will possess strong technical, report-writing, and project management skills, with a proven ability to contribute to and manage (depending on experience) medium to large-scale complex projects while producing high-quality results.

Project work will be varied, with a focus on renewable energy, infrastructure, residential schemes, and other commercial developments. Projects will be based in Wales and the Southwest, as well as across the UK.

Key Responsibilities:

• Preparing and editing documents for submission to planning authorities on EIA and non-EIA projects
• Managing several projects simultaneously, assisting team leads with resource allocation, addressing client feedback, and ensuring effective communication
• Advising clients on ways to minimise planning risks
• Attending design and progress meetings with colleagues and clients
• Assisting team leads with the preparation of fee proposals
• Collaborating with the wider multidisciplinary team

Qualifications and Experience:

• A relevant degree or postgraduate qualification in Town Planning or similar
• Chartered member status of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or working towards)
• Experience with renewable energy projects is advantageous
• Experience in client-facing consultancy, managing stakeholder communication
• Experience in preparing and editing documents for planning submissions
• Project delivery experience, both office and site-based
• Proven experience across all development stages
• Understanding of UK planning systems
• A full UK driving licence is essential; access to own car is desirable

We Offer:

• Hybrid home/office working arrangement
• Membership of the Firm's Group Personal Pension Plan, with up to 5% employer contribution
• Payment of relevant professional subscriptions
• 24 days annual leave
• Membership to the Firm's Private Healthcare Scheme
• Inclusion in the Firm's Critical Illness Cover Policy
• Life Assurance Policy (3 times annual salary)
• Mobile phone with inclusive tariff for personal use
• Regular training programmes
• Flexitime working schedule
• Long service awards
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Travel loans
• Cycle to work scheme
• Recruitment bounty scheme