Senior/Principal Planning Consultant in Sutton Coldfield

At Berrys, we're all about land and property. Working from four offices across the Midlands, we offer an array of services – planning, architecture, building surveying, valuation and business consultancy – to help our clients make the most of their assets.

You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of planners, surveyors, archaeologists, engineers and architects based in the Shrewsbury office and part of a business which is big enough for a varied range of work and opportunities but small enough to provide autonomy and a chance to really get to know everyone – expanding your skills and building new connections.

Our work ranges from applications and appeals to site promotions. Our projects span everything from sustainable urban extensions and solar farms to historic barn conversions. You will have the opportunity to manage your own caseload of projects, lead and support multi-disciplinary projects with your colleagues and develop specialist skills in areas you find particularly interesting.

Senior or Principal Planning Consultant Role – What will you be doing?

The role will suit somebody who has a background either in local authority or private sector and is keen to work in a supportive and friendly environment. We are looking for somebody who is calm and confident and who enjoys helping people.

Someone best suited to the role will have good initiative, communication and negotiation skills as it will involve direct client and Local Planning Authority contact. The role will include working on a diverse range of tasks including:

• Planning Statements
• Advising on Statutory Consents and Planning Strategy
• Coordinating Planning Application Submissions
• Appeals
• Attending Town & Parish Council meetings
• Presenting at Planning Committee meetings
• Call for Sites Submissions and Land Promotion
• Reviewing Consultant / Specialist Reports
• Environmental Statements

Senior or Principal Planning Consultant Role – What are we looking for?

We're looking for someone who understands and enjoys the world of planning but also enjoys working with people. A good listener who can anticipate the needs of a client, and provides answers before questions are even asked. If you're the kind of person who builds trust through proactive communication and excellent service, then this is the job for you.

We're also looking for someone who has the following:

• Post graduate degree in a related subject, e.g. town planning, urban design
• RTPI membership or another relevant professional accreditation
• Excellent written English and creative problem-solving abilities
• A skills base in the UK planning system
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience
• Ability to advise and offer confident and quality advice as a planning project lead
• Confident in liaising with a project team with excellent communication skills
• Experience of dealing with a wide variety of development projects both urban and rural and large and small-scale

The role will include outdoor site visits and on-site advice, so you will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, to be worked flexibly Monday-Friday.

Senior or Principal Planning Consultant Role – Benefits

The role sits within a friendly and supportive team with opportunities to develop. We will offer an excellent salary for the right candidate reflective of your skills, qualifications and experience. We will pay all the appropriate professional memberships and fund your attendance at relevant CPD events and time off for approved training. We provide Private Healthcare scheme for all. We have an Employee Assistance Programme, including a health plan and annual flu jab. We have an agile working philosophy allowing for a mix of remote and office working. We provide an entitlement of 35 days holiday per annum (pro rata to working hours) inclusive of bank holidays. An additional day off to celebrate your Birthday. We also give an additional day of holiday for every 3 years of service. Potential for discretionary bonus. We provide an enhanced workplace pension scheme operated through The National Employment Savings Trust (NEST). Following successful probation period, access to employee loan and employee discount on Berrys services. We offer salary sacrifice schemes for Electric Vehicles and Cycle to Work schemes.

Closing Date: 2nd February 2026. Please note that we may close this role early if sufficient applications are received, therefore it is recommended to apply early if you match the criteria.