Planning Director

Gladman Developments are the UK’s most active and successful land promoter based in Congleton, Cheshire. We believe in using our expertise to partner with landowners to help them to realise the true potential of their land through its development for residential or residential led mixed-use development.

Reporting to the Senior Planning Director, as Planning Director you will work within the Planning & Projects department to achieve planning permissions by promoting major and strategic sites through the development plan process and by way of planning application followed by planning appeal where necessary. You will often be the Lead Planner assigned to a site working as Project Lead. You will be involved with leading the planning strategy for sites and implementing once agreed. The role will require an ability to think strategically in the short and longer term. You will also be expected to delegate effectively and in doing so help with the professional development of junior planners within the team.

Your duties will include:

• Develop an effective strategy for the development and consent of sites.
• Leading project teams by preparing and signing off reports to support planning applications, appeals and policy presentations.
• Support the Senior Management Team as required, but also a wider brief on planning and technical matters as requested by senior colleagues.
• Progressing sites and projects managed in a proactive and timely manner and to the timescales agreed with Senior Directors.
• Enhancing the capability of the Planning & Project team by developing and supporting colleagues below Director level, including delegating appropriate tasks to them.
• Producing well-researched and presented reports and representations for the promotion of sites and/or preparing reports to accompany the submission of planning applications including setting of appropriate planning and engagement strategies.
• Preparing and submitting written evidence to planning appeals and examinations in public, including providing verbal evidence at examinations in public, planning inquiries and hearings.
• Providing written and verbal instruction to Barristers in seeking advice and in leading and representing the company at planning appeals (including where evidence is being given).
• Negotiating planning conditions and Section 106 obligations, including providing instructions to in-house (and external where required) solicitors whilst ensuring commercial, contractual and legal obligations are met.
• Identifying opportunities and corresponding strategies for new land opportunities in co-operation with the Land team in site finding and assessments.
• Attending meetings and interviews with prospective landowners and agents to help secure new sites for the business to then promote.
• Setting out planning and engagement strategies for sites, then ensuring their implementation.
• Undertaking site visits and meetings with landowners, agents and local authority officers.
• Effective management of workload and keeping to task deadlines, this will require delegation of tasks.
• Carrying out public engagement, including formal consultation events where necessary.
• Line Manager duties for Senior Planners, Planners, Graduate Planners/Assistant Planners within your team. Providing both support and development.
• Co-ordinating and inputting to complex planning research tasks.

To be successful in the role, we are looking for:

• Planning degree or equivalent qualification and eligibility for RTPI Membership.
• Extensive planning experience, either within a consultancy or local planning environment.
• Experience of instructing and negotiating Section 106 agreements.
• Experience of working within an environment focused on the promotion of sites through the development plan and planning application process.
• Significant experience of preparing reports to support the submission of planning applications and/or the allocation of sites in a Local Plan.
• Demonstrable experience of undertaking research projects to support the delivery of a project.
• The ability to formulate and implement clear strategies for the promotion of sites, with limited input from senior colleagues.
• Understanding of the drivers for growth at the local, regional and national level.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to communicate to different audiences.
• The ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Effective time management.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills.
• Ability to build rapport and relationships, both internally and externally.
• A strong work ethic.

As part of working for Gladman Developments and specifically for this role we offer:

• Competitive Bonus Scheme
• Private Medical Cover – Family Cover
• Annual Medical Health Assessment
• 26 days’ holiday (increase by 1 day for every 3 years’ continuous service up to 29 days)

Today’s housebuilding professional needs tomorrow’s benefits, so they’re ready for whatever the future brings. When you join Barratt, you get the kind of support you would expect from a business built for a modern working world.

Private medical cover

Private healthcare support is available for timely access to a virtual GP, for diagnosis, treatment and more — including physio and talking therapies. You can even add family members.

Pension

First-class pension schemes with the option of up to 10% employer contributions.

Annual Health Assessment

All colleagues are able to access a fully funded annual health assessment, helping you to proactively manage your health and wellbeing.

As well as a competitive salary, we offer many ways to make life more affordable – from access to employee loans and savings accounts, to house purchase discounts.

Cycle to Work scheme, reduced hotel rate, discounts at major retailers… These make a massive difference to the quality of your lifestyle.

So much more…

From death in service, paid volunteer and study leave, enhanced family friendly policies (including our Parents and Carers leave) to a share buying scheme, we have an incredible range of additional benefits.

About Gladman Developments

Gladman is all about innovation. We are passionate about winning and invest significant expenditure on robust evidence, research, specialist studies and investigations. With over 25 years’ experience in obtaining planning permissions, we are the UK’s most active and successful land promoter. We have enjoyed significant and prolific success in a range of property sectors, and we continue to go from strength to strength as we look to the future.

Putting diversity and inclusion front and centre

We know that a diverse team is better for our customers, makes us a more attractive employer and results in a stronger, more sustainable business. Which is why we’re so committed to developing our inclusive culture.

Thinking ahead to leave a better world behind

We’re building a sustainable tomorrow, one house and one community at a time. Our commitment to our customers is rooted in every decision and day-to-day action we take.

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