Planning Manager

Lloyd Recruitment - East Grinstead; East Grinstead; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Company car

25 days' holiday + bank holidays

Private medical insurance

Pension contribution

Free parking onsite

Job summary

Lloyd Recruitment Services is working with a well-established organisation to recruit a Planning Manager to support the Estates team on a full-time, permanent basis. You will advise the Head of Estates on planning matters across a UK-wide portfolio and identify opportunities to improve the estate.

Key responsibilities include preparing planning applications, managing pre-application discussions, and coordinating with internal teams and external consultants to deliver a long-term property

Qualifications

• Accredited degree in Town Planning or similar discipline.
• MRTPI Chartered member with minimum four years post-qualification experience.
• Proven track record securing planning consents for significant schemes.
• Strong knowledge of UK Town and Country Planning system and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Experience managing external consultants and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic planning advice across a UK-wide portfolio of sites.
• Prepare and submit planning applications, appraisals, statements, and LOOs.
• Manage pre-application discussions with Local Planning Authorities.
• Progress planning projects with Development Managers to secure consents.
• Instruct and manage external consultants (heritage, ecology, highways, etc.).
• Monitor Local Plans and assess impacts on existing sites.
• Advise on Biodiversity Net Gain requirements.
• Attend site visits, review meetings, and Planning Committee meetings.

Skills

Strong communication

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Negotiation skills

Planning policy understanding

Report writing

Travel flexibility

Education

Accredited degree in Town Planning

MRTPI Chartered member

Job description

Planning Manager

Salary: £60,000 - £67,000 DOE

• Car allowance (£870 per month) or company car
• Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• Competitive pension contribution
• Free parking onsite

Location: Outskirts of Crawley

Lloyd Recruitment Services is pleased to be working with a well‑established organisation seeking an experienced Planning Manager to join its Estates team on a full‑time, permanent basis.

The Role

You will advise the Head of Estates and wider Estates team on planning matters across a UK‑wide portfolio of sites. Working closely with internal teams and external consultants, you will help deliver the organisation's long‑term property strategy by identifying development opportunities and securing planning consents to improve its estate.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic planning advice on development, redevelopment, changes of use and alternative use opportunities.
• Prepare and submit planning applications, appraisals, statements and Certificates of Lawfulness.
• Manage pre‑application discussions and consultations with Local Planning Authorities (LPAs).
• Work closely with Development Managers to progress planning projects and secure consents.
• Instruct and manage external consultants, including planning, heritage, ecology, highways and flood risk specialists.
• Monitor Local Plans and assess their potential impact on existing sites, making representations where appropriate.
• Understand and advise on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements.
• Prepare objections to neighbouring developments that may negatively impact sites.
• Attend site visits, review meetings and occasional Planning Committee meetings.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Accredited degree in Town Planning or a similar discipline.
• Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), with a minimum of four years' post-qualification experience.
• Background in planning advisory work, ideally within an LPA, consultancy or in-house environment.
• Proven track record of securing planning consents for significant development schemes.
• Strong knowledge of the UK Town and Country Planning system and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Experience managing external professional consultants and building effective stakeholder relationships.
• Strong commercial awareness, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing.
• Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel across the UK, including occasional overnight stays.

Additional Information

Flexible working arrangements are available, combining office, home and site visits.