Town Planner - Tentatively Good CVS

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Bury St Edmunds; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and flexible working

Generous annual leave

Pension contribution

Private healthcare / health benefits

Annual salary reviews

Free parking

Career progression and CPD

Support for professionalQualifications

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment Ltd in Bury St Edmunds is seeking a Planner to join its established planning consultancy. You will work across agricultural, rural, residential and commercial projects, delivering planning advice from feasibility through to applications and appeals.

The role offers hybrid/flexible working, a clear development path, and opportunities to engage with local authorities and clients while progressing MRTPI membership where applicable.

Qualifications

• A degree or postgraduate qualification in Town Planning (RTPI accredited preferred).
• Experience in a planning consultancy, local authority or related planning environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with good report-writing ability.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines and work both independently and in a team.
• Knowledge of UK planning legislation, policy and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking planning research, site appraisals and feasibility studies.
• Preparing planning appraisals, statements and supporting documentation.
• Submitting planning applications (outline, full and change of use) and appeals.
• Providing pre-application planning advice and supporting site representations.
• Liaising with local planning authorities, consultants and clients.
• Assisting with negotiations on Section 106 and other planning obligations.
• Keeping up to date with changes to planning legislation and policy.

Skills

Planning knowledge

Communication skills

Report writing

Organisational skills

Multi-project management

Client liaison

Education

Degree in Town Planning

RTPI accredited / MRTPI adv.

Job description

Town Planner

Location: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Salary: £30,000/£35,000

Working Pattern: Hybrid / flexible working

Employment Type: Full-time, permanent

The Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Hybrid and flexible working to support a healthy work-life balance
• Generous annual leave
• Above-industry-average employer pension contribution
• Private healthcare / healthcare benefits
• Annual salary reviews
• Free parking
• Maternity and paternity benefits
• Strong opportunities for career progression and professional development
• Support for professional qualifications and CPD
• The opportunity to work across a diverse portfolio of rural, residential, commercial and strategic land projects
• A collaborative, client-focused working environment within an established multidisciplinary consultancyAbout the Role

About the Role

An established and growing planning consultancy is looking to appoint a Planner to join its team in Bury St Edmunds.

This is an excellent opportunity for a planning professional looking to develop their career within a consultancy that works across agricultural, rural, residential and commercial sectors.

The successful candidate will work on a varied portfolio of projects, providing planning advice from the early feasibility and appraisal stages through to planning applications, appeals and project delivery.

The business has a strong focus on providing practical, commercially minded planning advice and helping clients identify development opportunities and navigate the planning process effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertaking planning research, site appraisals and feasibility studies
• Preparing planning appraisals, planning statements and supporting documentation
• Preparing and submitting planning applications, including outline, full and change-of-use applications
• Preparing and submitting planning appeals
• Providing pre-application planning advice
• Supporting the promotion of strategic development sites and land
• Preparing representations in relation to Local Plans and planning policy
• Advising clients on planning strategy and development potential
• Liaising with local planning authorities, consultants and other stakeholders
• Attending client meetings and site visits
• Assisting with negotiations with planning officers
• Attending planning committees, hearings and public inquiries where required
• Providing advice relating to Section 106 agreements, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and other planning obligations
• Supporting multidisciplinary project teams and coordinating external consultantsAssisting with rural planning matters, including agricultural and rural diversification projects
• Keeping up to date with changes to planning legislation, policy and guidance

Requirements

• A degree or postgraduate qualification in Town Planning, ideally RTPI accredited
• Previous experience within a planning consultancy, local authority or related planning environment
• A good understanding of UK planning legislation, policy and procedures
• Experience preparing planning applications, appraisals and/or planning statements
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent report-writing and organisational skills
• The ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Confidence dealing with clients, planning officers and other consultants
• A proactive approach and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Membership of, or progress towards, MRTPI would be advantageous
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is desirable due to the nature of the role and site visits

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join a well-established consultancy with a strong presence in the agricultural, environmental and planning sectors. The planning team works across East Anglia and nationally, with projects ranging from individual planning applications through to larger-scale development and strategic land opportunities.

There is scope for the successful candidate to develop their technical expertise, client base and career, with professional development and progression encouraged.