Town Planner (MRTPI)

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne (Hybrid Working)

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience.

About the Role

We are looking for a Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI) to join our growing Planning team in Newcastle. This is an exciting opportunity to work on a varied portfolio of projects across the residential, commercial, industrial, education, energy and mixed-use sectors, providing planning advice from site promotion through to planning permission and delivery. You will work closely with clients, developers, local authorities and multidisciplinary teams to deliver commercially focused planning solutions and help shape successful developments across the North East and beyond. This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of projects, develop client relationships and contribute to the continued growth of our planning team.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse portfolio of planning projects from inception through to completion.
• Prepare, coordinate and submit planning applications for a wide range of development proposals.
• Prepare Planning Statements, Design and Access Statements, Local Plan representations, planning appraisals and supporting documentation.
• Provide strategic planning advice to clients throughout the development process.
• Manage relationships with clients, local planning authorities, consultees and project stakeholders.
• Lead negotiations with planning officers and statutory consultees to secure positive planning outcomes.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary project teams, including transport, engineering, environmental and design consultants.
• Undertake site appraisals and provide advice on planning constraints, opportunities and development potential.
• Support planning appeals, including the preparation of appeal statements and evidence where required.
• Monitor changes in planning legislation, policy and best practice to provide informed advice.
• Contribute to business development through networking, client engagement, fee proposals and identifying new opportunities.
• Mentor and support junior members of the planning team where appropriate.

About You

The successful candidate will have:

• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI).
• Experience within a planning consultancy, local authority or developer environment.
• A strong understanding of the UK planning system, planning policy and development management processes.
• Experience managing planning applications across a range of development sectors.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills.
• Strong project management and organisational abilities.
• Confidence in managing client relationships and representing projects at meetings.
• A commercial and solution-focused approach to planning.
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team.

Desirable Skills

• Experience of promoting sites through the Local Plan process.
• Knowledge of planning appeals and inquiry procedures.
• Experience working on major and complex development projects.
• Established relationships within the North East planning sector would be advantageous.
• Full UK driving licence.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities to work on high-profile and varied planning projects.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression.
• Pension scheme, generous annual leave and additional employee benefits.
• Opportunities to contribute to the continued growth of our Newcastle office and wider planning team.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is respected, supported and able to succeed. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.