Trainee Construction Planner

Team Planning, Land and Development

Reporting To: Partner & Head of Planning

Work Pattern: Hybrid or Remote working available, permanent, full-time but we are happy to consider flexible working approaches for this role.

Salary: Competitive Salary + Bonus + Employee Benefits Package (see below for details)

Area covering: West Midlands, West and South England and Home counties and this role can be delivered remotely.

About the role: We’re looking for an MRTPI qualified Planner/Senior Planner who has 1-4 years’ post-qualification experience and is at a stage in their career where they are looking to progress in a role delivering quality planning advice on a diverse range of projects. Whether your background is in planning consultancy or local government, we are looking for someone who can thrive in a commercial environment by working closely with the company’s development surveyors.

The Planning Team is part of Bruton Knowles’ Planning and Development team, which advises on residential, commercial, leisure and infrastructure development, including land disposal and acquisition. These services cover both small and large-scale development schemes on greenfield and brownfield land, including urban regeneration opportunities.

As a member of the Planning Team, you would work with the planning Partner to provide professional town planning advice to a variety of private and public sector clients across the West Midlands and the west and south of England. This requires a collaborative approach, working closely with colleagues to deliver enhanced outcomes for our clients.

We understand that no candidate will meet every requirement perfectly, so if this role interests you and you have relevant experience, we’d encourage you to apply.

Key Areas of Work:

• Strategic Land Promotion: Working with landowners, developers and promoters to identify and promote development opportunities through Local Plans and strategic planning processes.
• Planning Applications: Preparing, submitting and managing planning applications across a variety of development sectors, from initial appraisal through to determination.
• Public sector studies: Providing advice and preparing reports on area-based land use / urban regeneration initiatives for major public sector clients.
• Infrastructure: Supporting the delivery of infrastructure projects, advising on planning strategy, statutory planning, stakeholder engagement and consent management.

What you’ll be doing:

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting the team in providing planning consultancy advice to a wide range of clients.
• Managing and delivering planning applications, including coordinating technical consultants and liaising with local planning authorities and statutory consultees.
• Providing statutory planning advice on Permitted Development and Lawful Development Certificates.
• Preparing planning appraisals with advice on planning strategy and land use.
• Promoting land through Strategic and Local Plans and Neighbourhood Plans through representations and stakeholder engagement.
• Preparing land use and urban regeneration studies for public sector clients.
• Assisting with planning appeals, including Written Representations, Hearings and Public Inquiries.
• Advising clients on planning policy, development potential and planning compliance matters.
• Undertaking stakeholder engagement with public and private sector organisations.
• Supporting business development activities and helping to maintain strong client relationships.
• Fee Earner – develop new business to help maximise fee income.

Qualifications & Experience:

To be considered for this role, you will need to be:

• MRTPI qualified with approximately 1–4 years' post-qualification experience.
• Experienced within planning consultancy, local government or a similar planning environment.
• Commercially aware with an ability to provide pragmatic and innovative planning advice.
• Keen to contribute to business growth.
• The candidate must hold a full UK driving licence.

Interview Process:

An initial 10-15 minute confidential call about the role with the recruiter Naomi Corcoran. Followed by a one stage competency-based interview with our planning Partner and Head of Planning and Development.

Why join Bruton Knowles:

Bruton Knowles Limited is an independently-owned national property consultancy with 14 offices across the UK. Our multi-disciplinary team is highly experienced in national secure-loan Valuation, Utilities & Infrastructure, Building Consultancy, Commercial Property, Rural Services and Land Development & Planning, each area brings sector-specific insight and market expertise.

Here at Bruton Knowles we are proud of our:

• Established Reputation: You will join a highly regarded independent consultancy known for delivering best-in-class advice.
• Strong Client Portfolio: Inherit and build upon relationships with lenders, investors, developers, and public sector clients.
• Professional Growth: Work closely with senior stakeholders and gain exposure to major projects across the UK.
• Collaborative Culture: Be part of a multidisciplinary office where cross-referrals and team collaboration are actively encouraged.
• Flexible Working: Enjoy hybrid working and a healthy work-life balance with a trusted, people-first business.

What’s on offer:

• Time off to recharge: 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Financial Security: Competitive rates for private healthcare, income protection, and life cover.
• Pension and Retirement Support: Generous contributions through the Royal London Pension Scheme.
• Flexible Working: Our #WorkYourWay policy enables you to balance professional commitments with personal priorities.
• Wellbeing Support: Comprehensive Medicash plans, virtual GP services, Health and Wellbeing apps, discounted gym memberships, and confidential counselling.
• Discount and Saving App: Receive discounts on recreational activities, dining, electrical products and much more.
• Professional and Personal Development: Access to development programmes through our online training portal, academic courses, and paid professional body subscriptions.

At Bruton Knowles we are an inclusive employer that values diversity in its workforce. We encourage applications from all individuals without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age.

Please note, we are unable to provide employment sponsorship to candidates.