Planning Technician

TerraQuest Solutions Ltd; Birmingham, Belfast; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in planning and property solutions is seeking a Planning Technician to join their Delivery Team. This role involves validating planning applications and working collaboratively within a professional services team. Candidates should have a relevant degree and some experience in planning applications, with a focus on accuracy and quality in their work.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Enhanced Family Friendly policies

Agile Working approach

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Ability to read and understand plans.
• At least 6 months' experience in planning applications.
• Confidence in dealing with challenging customers.

Responsibilities

• Processing planning application validations within a 24- or 48-hour turnaround.
• Negotiating amendments to application submissions.
• Responding to queries from applicants or agents.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Proactivity

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Location: Birmingham or Belfast, in line with our Agile Working Policy. You will need to work from our Birmingham or Belfast office 2 days per week, as required by business needs.

Who we are...

TerraQuest Solutions Ltd is an award-winning, market-leading provider of planning, land, property, and business solutions. We are known for our expertise in delivering innovative and cost-effective solutions to both public and private sectors. Our team offers bespoke, flexible, and efficient services through a process-oriented delivery structure, maintaining strong customer relationships evidenced by high referral and repeat business rates.

Why work with us…

We are a Living Wage Foundation accredited employer, committed to supporting our employees' well-being and development. We offer competitive salaries, enhanced Family Friendly policies, a comprehensive benefits package (including Pension, Life Assurance, Employee Assistance Programme, and the option to buy additional annual leave), true flexibility through our Agile Working approach, and excellent training and development opportunities.

What we need...

Due to sustained growth, we are recruiting a Planning Technician to join our Delivery Team. Reporting to the Project Manager and Assistant Project Manager, and working within the Professional Services Team, the Planning Technician will be responsible for registering and validating various planning applications, including Minor and possibly Major applications, as part of a team delivering full end-to-end or capacity-based planning validation services for Local Planning Authorities.

What you will be doing…

• Processing planning application validations within a 24- or 48-hour turnaround, determining validity of applications (invalid or valid), consulting with Senior Planning Technician or Assistant Project Manager as needed.
• Negotiating amendments to application submissions through communication with applicants/agents via telephone, email, or letter.
• Checking additional information submitted for planning applications.
• Identifying and checking consultations on planning applications.
• Allocating applications to planning officers based on schema.
• Using the Council's back-office system to update applications and conduct GIS checks.
• Responding to queries from applicants or agents regarding applications.
• Meeting daily production targets and maintaining project documentation, including Daily Production and Quality Logs.

What we are looking for…

Candidate experience and skills required:

• Ability to read and understand plans.
• Effective planning of daily workload with the flexibility to adjust as needed.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team.
• Confidence in dealing with challenging customers and achieving positive outcomes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to meet deadlines within a production team environment.
• Attention to accuracy and detail, with a commitment to quality in own and others' work.
• A proactive attitude, consistently delivering on time, within budget, and to high quality standards.
• Relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent in a planning discipline.
• At least 6 months' experience in planning applications, with experience in Planning Authority or Private Sector preferred.
• Candidates with at least 1 year's experience in planning applications are particularly encouraged to apply.

Please apply for more information. Do not be discouraged if you do not have all the experience and skills listed; if you possess most of the skills and relevant experience, we would still like to hear from you!