About this role
An established planning consultancy in Kent is seeking a Senior Planner to join its Maidstone team on a permanent basis, supporting a growing infrastructure planning offering. The role involves working on complex, high-profile infrastructure projects and developing expertise in consenting strategy, examination processes and national planning policy. Responsibilities include managing pre-application stages, supporting consultation and engagement, and preparing and coordinating planning applications and supporting documentation. You will support clients throughout the examination process, including written representations, responses to Examining Authority questions, Statements of Common Ground and attendance at hearings, and liaise with the Planning Inspectorate, local planning authorities, legal advisers and multidisciplinary project teams.
Job Description
SENIOR TOWN PLANNER / TOWN PLANNER
Location: Kent/London
Salary: £35,00045,000, depending on experience
Are you an experienced Town Planner with a background in Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and nationally significant infrastructure projects? An established planning consultancy in Kent is looking to expand its team with a talented planning professional to support a growing infrastructure planning offering.
This is an exciting opportunity to work on complex, high-profile infrastructure projects while developing your expertise in consenting strategy, examination processes and national planning policy.
BENEFITS
- Competitive salary of £35,00045,000, depending on experience
- Opportunity to work on nationally significant infrastructure projects
- Exposure to major schemes across energy, transport, water and waste
- Varied workload combining infrastructure consenting and wider town planning projects
- Opportunities for career progression and professional development
- Chance to take ownership of complex projects and develop client relationships
- Opportunity to mentor junior colleagues and contribute to business growth
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Advising clients on consenting strategies for nationally significant infrastructure projects.
- Managing pre-application stages and supporting consultation and engagement processes.
- Preparing and coordinating planning applications and supporting documentation.
- Supporting clients throughout the examination process, including written representations, responses to Examining Authority questions, Statements of Common Ground and attendance at hearings.
- Liaising with the Planning Inspectorate, local planning authorities, legal advisers and multidisciplinary project teams.
- Monitoring changes to National Policy Statements and reforms to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime, advising clients on their practical implications.
- Mentoring junior planners and contributing to business development and the growth of the infrastructure planning team.
- Working on a broader range of Town and Country Planning Act projects to maintain a varied and interesting workload.
REQUIREMENTS
- MRTPI qualified or close to achieving chartered status.
- Demonstrable experience of at least one Development Consent Order (DCO) through pre-application, examination or both.
- Experience gained within a consultancy, project promoter, local authority or the Planning Inspectorate.
- Confidence managing complex, multidisciplinary workstreams and delivering against tight project programmes.
- Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, robust and persuasive planning documents.
- Strong stakeholder management skills and confidence engaging with clients, the public and external consultees.
- Comfortable presenting at hearings and public consultation events.
- Experience in sectors such as energy, transport, water or waste would be advantageous.
HOW TO APPLY
If you're a Town Planner or Senior Town Planner looking to develop your career in infrastructure planning and consenting, I'd love to hear from you.
Please send your CV to:
(url removed)