Senior Town Planner - North West Hampshire

Beach Baker; England; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Beach Baker, a respected independent planning and design consultancy in North West Hampshire, seeks an experienced Planner to join a growing team. This role offers autonomy, direct client relationships and ownership of projects across rural and countryside developments.

You will manage diverse planning portfolios, provide strategic advice, and lead pre-application discussions with authorities while building strong client and consultant relationships.

Qualifications

• Qualified planner with MRTPI status or substantial planning experience.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system.
• Experience managing planning applications and advising clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Managing planning and listed building applications from inception through to determination.
• Providing strategic planning advice to clients.
• Leading discussions and pre-application meetings with local authorities.
• Building relationships with planning officers, clients and external consultants.
• Undertaking site visits and assessing development opportunities.
• Working across rural, agricultural, residential and commercial developments.
• Contributing to the continued growth of the planning team.

Skills

UK planning system knowledge

Managing planning applications

Client relationship management

Verbal and written communication

Education

Planning qualification

MRTPI status

Job description

Planning Consultant / Senior Town Planner

North West Hampshire

Beach Baker is working with an established independent planning and design consultancy to appoint an experienced Planner to its growing team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone seeking greater autonomy, direct client relationships and genuine ownership of their projects, within a consultancy offering an interesting and varied workload.

The practice works across a broad range of planning matters, with particular strength in rural, agricultural and countryside development. Projects include farm diversification, agricultural development, Class Q conversions, renewable energy, commercial schemes and residential development.

The Opportunity

You'll join an experienced team and take responsibility for a varied portfolio of planning projects, working closely with clients throughout the planning process.

Depending on your experience, responsibilities will include:

• Managing planning and listed building applications from inception through to determination
• Providing strategic planning advice to clients
• Leading discussions and pre-application meetings with local authorities
• Building relationships with planning officers, clients and external consultants
• Undertaking site visits and assessing development opportunities
• Working across rural, agricultural, residential and commercial developments
• Contributing to the continued growth of the planning team

About You

We're keen to speak with experienced Planners who are confident managing their own projects and client relationships.

You may currently be operating at Planner, Senior Planner, Principal or Associate level, with flexibility to shape the position around your experience.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• A relevant planning qualification
• MRTPI status or substantial relevant planning experience
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system
• Experience managing planning applications and advising clients
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Confidence dealing directly with clients, local authorities and other consultants
• An interest in rural, agricultural or countryside development

Experience within agricultural planning, farm diversification, rural estates or renewable energy would be particularly relevant, although Planners from a broader consultancy or development background are also encouraged to apply.

Why Consider It?

This could particularly suit an experienced Planner who enjoys consultancy but would like more responsibility, autonomy and exposure to clients.

The opportunity offers:

• A genuinely varied planning workload
• Significant autonomy and project ownership
• Direct client relationships
• Specialist exposure to rural and agricultural planning
• An experienced and collaborative working environment
• Scope to shape the position around your strengths and interests
• Long-term career and professional development

For someone currently within a larger multidisciplinary consultancy, it could offer the chance to join a more independent environment where you can have greater influence over projects and client relationships.