Town Planner in Reading

At Bellway we recognise that people are the key to our success, and we are committed to building an inclusive culture that values and respects difference combined with creating a safe and inclusive working environment for all colleagues. This means we are positive about making adjustments as well as providing flexible working and we would be happy to talk to you about how this could work for you.

There is an exciting opportunity to join Bellway, one of the UK’s largest house builders. Our Thames Valley Division located in Reading is looking to recruit a Planner to join the Division’s Land department.

The Role

The Planner will report to the Land &/or Planning Director and will be responsible for advising the land teams on all aspects of planning policy and development control affecting land acquisition. This role is also responsible for the management of strategic land.

• Provide day to day planning advice to land teams primarily on residential schemes but also mixed-use developments.
• Management and promotion of the Strategic Land Portfolio in order to deliver sites to the division at the earliest possible opportunity.
• Identify and advise divisional land teams of potential development sites that may become available through the prevailing/emerging planning policy.
• Promote sites through the Local Plan system and keep Land Director/ Land Manager as well as the divisional management team advised of progress.
• Negotiate terms working with the Land Director and the Divisional Planning Manager as appropriate in order to acquire land interests directly with landowners and agents.
• Prepare Planning Reports on land to be acquired by the division identifying any planning/commercial risk.
• Assist with formulating planning strategies in order to obtain a planning consent in a timely manner within an appropriate deadline that allows the division to deliver sales completions in accordance with forecasts and which maximises commercial returns for the company.
• Negotiate with Local Authority officers and the community regarding residential development proposals, also ensuring that they are commercially viable and capable of achieving a planning consent within a reasonable timescale.
• Negotiate S106 agreements with the Land Team as appropriate in accordance with the Company’s requirements and advise the division of the commercial implications.
• Prepare and submit planning applications with accompanying scoping and screening opinions and the appropriate level of information to ensure the application is registered and processed by the Local Authority and compliant so that they are not capable of legal challenge.
• Attend Planning Committee Meetings and speak/present on behalf of the company as necessary.
• Prepare, submit and process Appeals, including the ability to prepare proofs of evidence and assist at any Hearing/Inquiry as necessary.
• Manage expenditure and prepare budget costs for planning application/appeals including the appointment of Consultant teams and ensuring expenditure is within the agreed budget.
• Assist in delivering the businesses Better with Bellway KPI’s.

Experience

• Experience of working as a Planner.
• Experience of addressing the general public as well as council officers and committee members in a public forum.

Qualifications and Training

• Planning or Surveying Degree or above or equivalent is desirable.
• RICS or RTPI.

Skills and Aptitude

• Effective communication and listening skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Works collaboratively with a diverse range of people.
• Good administration skills.
• Works effectively to deadlines and competently works on multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficient IT skills.
• Committed to diversity and inclusion.

The Role and Working Conditions

• Willing to be flexible in respect to day to day duties and hours worked.
• Ability to travel to potential land opportunities and external meetings on a regular basis.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Competitive car allowance.
• Optional salary sacrifice car scheme.
• Competitive annual bonus.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays.
• Access to discounts and benefits portal.
• ShareSave Scheme.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Life assurance.
• Holiday Purchase Scheme.
• Earn and Learn Opportunities.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy if a large volume of applications are received.