Planning Manager

Caravan Club; East Grinstead; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Caravan and Motorhome Club seeks a Planning Advisor to support the Head of Estates and Estates Team with UK-wide planning matters and site development strategies. You will advise on planning applications, pre-application briefs, and engagement with LPAs to secure consents.

You will coordinate external advisers, monitor Local Plans, and represent the Club at meetings when needed. A Town Planning degree and MRTPI with four years PQE are expected.

Qualifications

• Accredited degree in Town Planning or similar discipline.
• Member of the RTPI (MRTPI) with four years PQE.
• Proven experience securing planning consents for significant developments.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively and solve complex planning issues.
• Good financial and commercial awareness.
• Ability to manage external consultants.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic planning advice for development and change of use opportunities.
• Prepare planning appraisals, statements and applications for site developments.
• Liaise with internal teams and Local Planning Authorities (LPAs).
• Instruct and manage external professionals (planning, heritage, ecology, highways, etc.).
• Attend pre-application meetings and Planning Committee as required.
• Monitor Local Plans and represent the Club’s interests.

Skills

Planning knowledge

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Collaborative mindset

IT skills

Education

Accredited degree in Town Planning

MRTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Google Docs/Sheets/Slides

Job description

Location: East Grinstead (mix of home and office working)

Job type: Permanent

Reporting to: Senior Property Manager

Purpose of the job: To advise the Head of Estates and wider Estates Team on all planning related matters relating to the Club’s United Kingdom wide portfolio of sites. To help deliver the Club’s Site and Accommodation Department’s strategy in alignment with the overall long term business strategy by developing and improving the Club’s Estate’s portfolio through securing planning consents.

Key Tasks/Accountabilities:

• A strong working knowledge of the Town and Country Planning system.
• A good working knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain and the implications for individual planning applications.
• To provide strategic planning advice to internal customers relating to development and redevelopment opportunities, change of use opportunities and alternative use opportunities.
• To prepare pre-application consultation briefs to LPAs.
• Attendance at pre-application consultation meetings with planning officers and internal colleagues.
• Attendance at site and review meetings.
• Preparation and submission of planning appraisals, statements and applications for site related developments, changes of use and Certificates of Lawfulness, working closely with the Development Managers.
• Selection, instruction and management of external professional advisers including planning, heritage, ecology, highways, flood risk and other specialist consultants as required on a project by project basis.
• Preparation of objections to proposals on neighbouring properties that negatively impact the Club’s sites.
• Occasional attendance at Planning Committee meetings.
• The day to day management of planning projects including liaising with other in-house / external disciplines and LPAs to ensure swift, positive outcomes.
• Monitor Local Plans in locations where the club has a site to assess the impact on the Club's sites and make representations in the Club's best interests as appropriate.

Essential Skills & Experience Required:

• An accredited degree in Town Planning or similar discipline.
• Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) with a minimum of four years’ PQE, ideally in a planning advisory role (whether in-house, LPA or consultancy).
• Proven experience of preparing and successfully securing planning consents for significant development schemes.
• Strong negotiation skills alongside the ability to build and foster strong, sustainable internal and external relationships, demonstrating a positive and approachable disposition with the ability to build rapport.
• The ability and desire to work in an inclusive and collaborative manner.
• Possess the drive to succeed and to be able to solve complex issues.
• Strong financial and commercial awareness.
• The ability to instruct and manage external professionals.
• Good analytical skills and the ability to grasp new concepts quickly.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Well-developed IT skills (including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Google Docs, Sheets and Slides).

The Caravan and Motorhome Club is committed to employing a diverse workforce. All applications are treated equally and we recruit purely on the basis of skills and experience. We know our greatest strength is our people, so differences are celebrated, and we strive to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential.

You’ll enjoy lots of benefits working at our head office. Check out why it's great to work at the Club