Planner/Senior Planner/Principal Planner (Essex Team) in Colchester

Join to apply for the Planner / Senior Planner / Principal Planner role at Bidwells. Are you a commercially‐minded Town Planning professional with residential experience looking for the next step in your Planning career? If so, we have created a new opportunity for a Planner / Senior Planner / Principal Planner to join our successful, growing and supportive Planning team at Bidwells. This is a fantastic opportunity to work on a wide range of residential‐led development and strategic land projects on behalf of developers, housebuilders and institutional landowner clients.

This particular role will join our Essex Team, where you will be based from our Cambridge Head Office (with hybrid working), but you will primarily cover clients across Essex, South Suffolk, Hertfordshire, outer London and the southern home counties so will involve reasonable travel within these areas. You will have the chance to gain exposure to major residential schemes and exciting developments in sectors such as education and healthcare, while supporting more senior consultants/partners and delivering professional planning advice in line with RTPI standards.

What you'll be doing:

• Promote land through emerging Local Plans for allocation and release from the Green Belt.
• Managing or supporting Planning projects and taking applications through the planning system, from managing planning enquiries, assessing sites and development potential, compiling evidence, and preparing high‐quality planning submissions and planning statements.
• Representing clients' commercial interests across all stages of the planning process, including written representations, informal hearings, appeals and public inquiries.
• Building strong relationships with clients and colleagues, responding to queries professionally and promptly.
• Collaborate with other internal teams including Land and Development, Rural and Building Consultancy on multi‐disciplinary projects.
• Maintaining commercial awareness, ensuring projects are delivered within agreed budgets and timelines.
• Accurately managing financial processes including time recording, invoicing and expenses.
• Keeping internal systems and databases up to date, ensuring compliance with quality procedures.
• Staying informed on planning legislation and policy changes to deliver expert advice.
• Committing to ongoing professional development, including RTPI APC/CPD requirements and internal learning opportunities.
• Supporting other town planning‐related or administrative tasks to contribute to the overall success of the Planning team.

About You:

• Previous relevant town planning experience, whether within a multidisciplinary or planning focused consultancy, or within local authorities.
• Sound knowledge of the UK planning system together with an interest in a wide range of planning issues.
• Excellent report writing skills and attention to detail.
• Strong IT skills, particularly with MS Office.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Chartered member of the RTPI, degree in Planning (RTPI accredited) or working towards one.
• Business development skills and the ability to identify and attract new instructions and clients.
• Business and financial discipline – recording of time, expenses etc and understanding of turnover/income, profit and gross margin.
• Good relationship skills.

Why Bidwells?

• We're a different kind of business. Whilst we're a major player in the property sector, Bidwells remains a privately‐owned, independent Partnership, with an inclusive, entrepreneurial culture. We give our people autonomy and take the time to listen.

What's in it for you:

• Competitive Salary: We recognise and reward talent with generous salary and group bonus scheme. As a Real Living Wage employer, we're committed to fair pay that reflects the true cost of living.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Including up to 8% matched pension, private medical, medicash plan, your birthday off work and lifestyle discounts and perks.
• Professional Development: Continuous learning, study support and promotion opportunities.
• Innovative Culture: Be part of a forward‐thinking team at the forefront of industry trends.
• Family Friendly: We offer enhanced family leave policies to support individuals close to you.
• Work‐Life Balance: We value your well‐being and offer agile working to support it.

Bidwells is dedicated to fostering a truly inclusive culture of belonging, where everyone can thrive and succeed as their true and authentic selves at every level. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and positively encourage applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of race, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief. Flexible working requests are considered from day one.