Assistant Planner

Assistant Planner

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Bellway Homes

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Assist in planning policies and support land teams on exciting residential projects.
  • Company: Join Bellway, one of the UK's largest house builders with a focus on inclusivity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, car allowance, bonuses, and 25 days holiday.
  • Other info: Flexible working environment with great career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in shaping communities while developing your planning skills.
  • Qualifications: Planning degree or equivalent, strong communication, and attention to detail.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

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 an Assistant Planner to join the Division’s Land department.

The Role

The Assistant Planner will report to the Planning Manager and will assist the land teams on all aspects of planning policy and development control affecting land acquisition, and support the Planning Manager with the preparation and submission of all planning applications within the Division.

Principle accountabilities of the Planner role include:

  • Assist with day-to-day planning advice to land teams, primarily on residential schemes but also mixed-use developments.
  • Support divisional land teams of potential development sites that may become available through the prevailing/emerging planning policy.
  • Coordinate 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 maximizes commercial returns for the company.
  • Support negotiations with Local Authority officers and the community regarding residential development proposals, ensuring that they are commercially viable and capable of achieving a planning consent within a reasonable timescale.
  • Support negotiations to S106 agreements with the Land Team as appropriate in accordance with the Company's requirements and advise the division of the commercial implications.
  • Support with the preparation and submission of 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.
  • Discharge planning conditions, where appropriate, alongside the submission of any planning application.
  • Coordinate expenditure and prepare budget costs for planning application/appeals, including the appointment of Consultant teams and ensure expenditure is within the agreed budget.
  • Assist in delivering the business's Better with Bellway KPI’s.

Qualifications and Skills

Qualifications and Training

  • Planning Degree or above or equivalent is desirable.

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.

In return we can offer you:

  • 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.

Bellway Homes

Contact Details:

Bellway Homes Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Planner

Get Your Portfolio Game On Point

As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!

Slide into Networking Events

Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Bellway Homes who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!

Learn the Software Inside Out

Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.

Refine Your Interview Skills

Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Planner

Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Adaptability
Organisational Skills
AutoCAD
Microsoft Office

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!

Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Bellway Homes!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Bellway Homes. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!

Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!

How to prepare for a job interview at Bellway Homes

Master the Technical Questions

In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.

Bring Your Portfolio to Life

Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.

Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability

In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.

Engage with Your Interviewers

Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Bellway Homes.