Planning Consultant in Exeter

Roach Planning and Environment Limited, which trades as ‘Roach Planning’, is a commercially-minded planning consultancy practice based in Teignmouth, Devon, working across the South West. Roach Planning provides expert planning advice to its clients, promoting their land and development projects, and obtaining planning permissions. The practice also occasionally undertakes some Environmental Impact Assessment work. Essentially, we help developers, businesses and private clients navigate the planning system. We advise on whether or not projects are likely to obtain planning permission. We submit planning applications to local Councils and negotiate with them on our clients' behalf. We submit appeals to The Planning Inspectorate. Services are tailored for each commission - small or large - depending on the client’s requirements, the location, the characteristics of the site, the nature of the development, the applicable planning policies and local politics. Central to our work is planning risk management. This means identifying planning risks, then mitigating them as cost-effectively as possible to maximise the chances of obtaining planning permission.

Roach Planning was established in 2017 by founding Director, Ian Roach MRTPI, and has since provided advice on projects and secured planning permissions across a range of development sectors on sites throughout South West England. Roach Planning also employs a Principal Planning Consultant and a Planning Consultant and is looking to grow its business with the appointment of another Planning Consultant. We predominantly work in the residential, industrial and defence sectors. Recent projects for the company’s enviable client list have included a medical manufacturing facility in Kingskerswell, 320 homes in Penzance, and an independent special school in Exeter.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will work across a range of development projects. The role can best be summarised as taking responsibility for management and delivery of some of our projects. The role would be supported by the company Director, in particular regard to project start-up, client relationship management, and review and sign-off of written deliverables. The role would also be supported by the company’s other staff as part of a collaborative team. In this context, the role of Planning Consultant is expected to include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Researching site planning histories, environmental designations, planning policies, etc.
• Undertaking site visits across South West England.
• Performing day-to-day liaison with clients.
• Performing day-to-day liaison with project teams, e.g. architects, engineers, ecologists, etc.
• Performing day-to-day liaison with Local Planning Authorities and consultees.
• Making arrangements for project meetings and writing up notes of meetings if necessary.
• Compiling and reviewing drawings, reports, etc. received from clients and project teams.
• Writing Planning Appraisals, Planning Statements and other reports.
• Completing planning application forms, etc.
• Compiling and submitting planning applications.
• Monitoring consultation responses to planning applications and actioning with clients and project teams.
• Negotiating S106 planning obligations.
• Checking planning decision notices / conditions against submitted plans.
• Compiling and submitting planning condition and obligation discharge applications.
• Monitoring planning condition and obligation discharge applications.
• Other planning-related tasks as required.

The candidate is expected to demonstrate the following:

• Planning or related degree from a UK university.
• Working towards or have achieved RTPI membership.
• Approximately three to five years’ relevant experience, some of which in the private sector (consultancy or client side).

Competencies:

• Good understanding of the UK Town and Country Planning system.
• Excellent written English.
• Close attention to detail.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Professional manner.
• Appreciation of the importance of client requirements.
• IT skills including Microsoft Office applications.
• Full UK driving licence.

This is a full-time role with the expectation of working from our office in Teignmouth a minimum of three days per week, maximum remote working two days per week. The office is located in the heart of thriving Teignmouth town centre, two minutes’ walk from the beach and three minutes’ walk from the railway station.

Salary dependent on experience but in the range £30,000 to £40,000 per annum. Nest pension. 25 days’ paid holiday plus Bank Holidays. Opportunities and mentoring for CPD.

Please send: Cover letter or email; CV; and Recent example of written work, to: ian@roachplanning.co.uk Closing date: 11 January 2026.