Town Planner/Senior Planner

Bidwells; Perth; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme

Real Living Wage

8% matched pension

28 days holiday + bank holidays

Birthday off

Job summary

Bidwells is seeking a Town Planner/Senior Planner in Perth to manage a caseload and provide planning support across a range of projects. You will work closely with the Planning Team, contributing to planning appraisals, consultations, and representations while developing client relationships and pursuing new opportunities.

The role offers a collaborative environment, industry exposure, and opportunities for professional development within a leading real estate planning practice.

Qualifications

• A town planning or relevant degree (or equivalent).
• Chartered RTPI member or actively working towards this.
• Some experience and knowledge of town planning and the planning system.
• Experience in renewables planning, policy planning or development management is a bonus.
• Excellent report writing, communication and IT skills, with good attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal communication and client-focused mindset.

Responsibilities

• Provide planning advice to clients and formulate planning strategies to promote sites.
• Take new job enquiries and prepare fee proposals.
• Manage engagement with local planning authorities and stakeholders.
• Undertake site assessments and establish development potential.
• Prepare high-quality planning submissions and progress applications through the planning system.
• Research and compile robust evidence to support the planning case.
• Prepare design and access statements and other planning documents.
• Represent clients' interests throughout the planning process; assist in hearings and inquiries.
• Monitor timeframes for publication of planning documents.
• Develop and maintain client relationships and identify new business opportunities.
• Understand and manage potential conflicts of interest.
• Keep up-to-date with legislation, regulations and guidance.

Skills

Report writing

Communication

IT skills

Client relationship management

Team player

Commercial awareness

Full UK driving licence

Education

Town planning degree

RTPI member or working towards

Job description

Are you passionate about town planning and eager to make a meaningful impact working on interesting and varied projects and shaping sustainable real estate?

Due to growth, we have created an exciting new role for a Town Planner/Senior Planner to join our reputable Planning Team in Perth, toprovide support on a range of planning projects as well as manage their own caseload of projects.

The Planning Team at Bidwells offers a comprehensive planning service to a wide range of clients, including developers, landowners and occupiers. They deal with the preparation of planning and development appraisals, planning, conservation area, listed building consent applications and planning appeals, manage the discharge of planning conditions for major scale developments and also submit representations on draft Local Development Plans.

You will work closely with the team and alongside other departments, and this collaborative environment not only enhances your own professional development but also fosters a strong sense of community.

What you’ll be doing

• Provide planning advice to a range of clients and formulate planning strategies to promote sites.
• Take new job enquiries and preparing fee proposals.
• Proactively manage engagement with local planning authorities and other stakeholders.
• Undertake site assessments and establish development potential.
• Prepare high-quality planning submissions and progressing applications through the planning system.
• Research and compile robust evidence to support the planning case.
• Prepare design and access statements and other planning documents and reports.
• Represent the clients' commercial interests throughout the planning process. Written representations and assist in informal hearings and public enquiries.
• Monitor timeframes for publication of relevant planning documents.
• Client relationship management, making regular contact and understanding/anticipating client needs. Develop and maintain current and new client relationships.
• Identify and communicate new business opportunities to colleagues and clients.
• Understand and manage any potential conflicts of interest.
• Keeping abreast of relevant legislation, regulations and government guidance.
• Keep systems up-to-date.
• Other ad hoc town planning or admin duties as needed.

About you

• A town planning or relevant degree (or equivalent).
• Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or actively working towards this.
• Some previous experience and knowledge of town planning and the planning system. Experience gained in either a consultancy or the private sector would be an advantage, but not essential.
• Any experience of renewables planning, policy planning or the development management process would be a bonus.
• Excellent report writing, communication and IT skills, with good attention to detail.
• Good interpersonal communication and relationship management skills. Client focused and resolved to exceed client expectations.
• Strong team player.
• Commercially aware.
• Full UK driving licence.

Why Bidwells?

We’re a different kind of business. 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. 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.

What’s in it for you

Competitive Salary: We recognise and reward talent with generous salary and group 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.

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.