Town Planner - Planning Consultancy

What if you could shape a career as unique as you?

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

The Planning Consultancy team in Central Birmingham specialise in providing commercial planning advice to a wide-range of private and public sector clients. It is an established front end development team which advises on development proposals throughout all stages of the planning process from feasibility, plan promotion, application, EIA and appeal. Our projects range from complex city centre regeneration sites, tall buildings, high density housing, strategic housing promotion, repurposing town centres, retail development, sports and leisure, logistics and major business parks, through to detailed listed building reuse.  We act for developers, land owners, house builders, registered providers, financial institutions, strategic promoters, retailers and operators.  We are proud to be involved in leading some of the region’s largest and most high-profile schemes.

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic team player with a can do attitude. Candidates must have some private sector consultancy experience as well possibly some local authority experience, a proven ability to deliver to a high standard, strong communication skills, passion to share their knowledge and a desire to learn and contribute to the on-going success of our team.

You will be a Planner with a good knowledge and experience of the planning process including planning applications, permitted development, policy frameworks, plan promotion and the appeal process. You will be well versed in using critical thinking to prepare planning appraisals and strategies, the preparation of all planning documentation for developments, the associated negotiations with planning authorities and stakeholders.

We’re looking for Planners with demonstrable experience, with the confidence and initiative to run projects themselves, but also work within a team on large scale projects. 

As one of the world’s leading engineering, professional services and technical consultancy firms, at WSP, we’re passionate about the big questions. And big answers, naturally. For us that’s all about reaching beyond the expected, to do work that’ll make a profound impact felt long into the future.

A little more about your role…

• Assisting in the devising planning strategies, assessing site’s planning history and relevant planning policies contained within a development plan; as well as national planning policy and guidance.
• Preparing briefing notes that set out the likelihood of achieving planning permission for housing or employment uses.
• Drafting planning statements in a clear and persuasive way, to support development proposals. 
• Assisting in the planning aspects in multidisciplinary teams delivering planning projects.
• Attending site visits, design team and client meetings.
• Managing project delivery and budgetary control.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues from across WSP, for example in the Transport or Sustainability Teams, to ensure their advice is factored into the combined advice provided to clients by WSP.
• Monitoring planning applications and liaising with clients and teams to respond to consultation feedback.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• Degree level qualification in town planning.
• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject.
• Chartered status (MRTPI / NIPA).
• Sound knowledge and experience of the UK planning system, gained in the private sector setting.
• Strong technical skills
• A commercial approach to planning consultancy and development.
• A desire to work in a growing planning team, surrounded and supported by a raft of fellow professionals.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

With us, you can. Apply today.

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