Senior/Principal Planner

Bidwells; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matched pension

28 days holiday (+ bank holidays)

Birthday off work

Wellness day

Paid sabbaticals

Private medical cover

Medicash plan

Lifestyle discounts

Job summary

Bidwells in London is seeking an ambitious Town Planner (Assistant or Planner level) to join our growing London team. You will shape places, support regeneration, and deliver developments with lasting community impact.

The role offers exposure to high-profile city redevelopments and a broad range of projects across education, residential, commercial and mixed-use sectors. A collaborative culture and clear progression are highlighted.

Qualifications

• Degree in town planning or equivalent with RTPI membership.
• Strong knowledge of planning systems and processes.
• Commercial awareness with client-focused mindset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and client relationships.
• Ability to attract new instructions and opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Provide commercial planning advice and formulate planning strategies.
• Take new job enquiries and prepare fee proposals.
• Engage with local planning authorities and stakeholders.
• Conduct site assessments and evaluate development potential.
• Prepare high-quality planning submissions and progress applications.
• Research and compile robust evidence for planning cases.
• Prepare design and access statements and reports.
• Represent clients' interests during planning processes.
• Mentor junior team members and develop client relationships.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Relationship management

Project prioritisation

Business development

Education

Town planning degree or equivalent

RTPI membership

Job description

At Bidwells, we\'re looking for an ambitious Town Planner (Assistant or Planner level) to join our growing London team. Working across a diverse portfolio of projects in London and beyond, you\'ll help shape places, support regeneration, and deliver developments that leave a lasting impact on communities.

This role really will give you excellent exposure to some of the cities most impactful schemes, offering unmatched individual experience and growth opportunities. You\’ll engage in some of London\’s high profile city redevelopments aswell as significant mixed-use, education, residential, and commercial developments.

Our Planning team is one of the largest and most respected in the UK, and we\'re currently experiencing an exciting period of growth. Recent senior hires and new team members in London have further strengthened our already highly successful team, bringing additional expertise, fresh perspectives and valuable client relationships. Their arrival has enhanced our capabilities, expanded our reach and contributed to a growing pipeline of exciting projects and opportunities across the team. This is a fantastic time to join Bidwells, as we continue to invest in our people, strengthen our market-leading reputation and capitalise on an exciting pipeline of work.

Our successful candidate will join a dynamic and highly collaborative department where knowledge sharing, teamwork and professional development are genuinely valued. From regular departmental updates and team socials to cross-disciplinary project work, you\'ll have the opportunity to work alongside experts from across the business, broaden your experience and contribute to some of the\'s most exciting projects. It\'s an environment that not only supports career progression but also fosters a strong sense of community and belonging.

Our planning team collaborates closely with our development, agency, capital markets, rural, and building teams, providing access to major mixed-use projects, science and technology initiatives, and a wide range of other exciting developments

What you\'ll be doing:

• Providing commercial planning advice to a range of clients and formulating planning strategies to promote sites.


• Taking new job enquiries and preparing fee proposals.


• Proactively managing engagement with the local planning authority and other stakeholders.


• Undertake site assessments and establish development potential.


• Preparing high-quality planning submissions and progressing applications through the planning system.


• Research and compiling robust evidence to support the planning case.


• Prepare design and access statements and other planning documents and reports.


• Representing the clients\' commercial interests throughout the planning process. Written representations and assist in informal hearings and public enquiries.


• Mentoring junior members of the team.


• Developing and maintaining current and new client relationships, identifying opportunities for new business for the department and other services.


• Keeping abreast of relevant legislation, regulations and government guidance.


• Understanding and managing any potential conflicts of interest.


• Other ad hoc team support, town planning or admin duties as needed.

About you:

• A town planning degree or equivalent and full membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.


• A good up to date and working knowledge of town planning. Ideally this experience will have been gained in either Local Government or in a consultancy environment.


• Sound knowledge of the planning system together with an interest in a wide range of planning issues.


• Commercially aware.


• Good interpersonal communication skills.


• Good relationship management skills.


• Ability to manage and prioritise projects on a day-to-day basis.


• Ability to attract new instructions and clients.

What\’s in it for you

Competitive Salary:

We recognise and reward talent with generous salary and bonus scheme. As a Real Living Wage employer, we\’re committed to fair pay that reflects the true cost of living.

Comprehensive Benefits:

Including up to 8% matched pension, 28 days holiday (+ bank holidays) as a minimum, along with your birthday off work, a wellness day, paid sabbaticals, private medical cover, medicash plan, lifestyle discounts and perks, and more.

Professional Development:

Continuous learning, study support and promotion opportunities.

Innovative Culture:

Be part of a forward-thinking team at the forefront of industry trends.

Family Friendly:

We offer enhanced family leave policies to support individuals close to you.

Work-Life Balance:

We value your well\'being and offer agile working to support it.

Why Bidwells?

Bidwells is one of the first property consultancies in the UK to receive BCorp accreditation, reflecting our commitment to being a responsible, purpose-driven business.As a certified B Corporation (B-Corp), we are dedicated to using our business as a force for good, driving innovation, and creating long‑term value for our clients, communities, and the environment.This unique achievement sets us apart from other property consultancies and underscores our dedication to operating with integrity and sustainability at the core of everything we do.

Whilst we\’re a major player in the property sector, Bidwells remains a privately‑owned, independent Partnership, with an inclusive, entrepreneurial culture. We give our people autonomy and take the time to listen.

Bidwells is dedicated to fostering a truly inclusive culture of belonging, where everyone can thrive and succeed as their true and authentic selves at every level. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and positively encourage applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of race, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief. Flexible working requests are considered from day one.

Recruitment agencies: Bidwells do not require agency support for this role. Bidwells only pay agency fees where we have a signed agreement in place and that agency has been previously contacted and specifically directed by a member of our recruitment team. We do not pay agency fees when speculative and unsolicited CVs are submitted to Bidwells or any of our employees other than via our careers website and through our recruitment process. If this is not adhered to, agency fees will not be paid. Submission of any unsolicited CVs or proposals to Bidwells will be deemed evidence of full and unlimited acceptance of this approach.