Town Planner - Private Planning Consultancy (Exeter)
Job Title: Town Planner
Location: Exeter, Devon
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
About the Role
We are seeking a motivated and commercially aware Town Planner to join our growing planning consultancy based in Exeter. Working with a diverse portfolio of residential, commercial, mixed-use, renewable energy, and rural development projects, you will provide planning advice and manage applications from initial site appraisal through to determination.
This is an excellent opportunity for a planner looking to develop their career within a dynamic private-sector environment, working closely with clients, local authorities, architects, developers, and other consultants.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and manage planning applications, appeals, and pre-application submissions.
- Provide planning advice to clients on development opportunities, constraints, and strategy.
- Undertake planning policy reviews, site appraisals, and due diligence assessments.
- Prepare planning statements, supporting reports, and representations to local planning authorities.
- Liaise with planning officers, consultees, stakeholders, and project teams throughout the planning process.
- Monitor changes in planning legislation, policy, and guidance and advise clients accordingly.
- Attend client meetings, public consultations, committee meetings, and hearings as required.
- Support business development activities, including preparing fee proposals and assisting with tender submissions.
- Contribute to the successful delivery of projects within agreed timescales and budgets.
Person Specification
Essential
- Degree in Town Planning, Urban Planning, Geography, or a related discipline.
- Working towards or holding membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
- Strong understanding of the UK planning system and planning policy framework.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel when required.
Desirable
- Previous experience within a planning consultancy, local authority, or development environment.
- Experience preparing planning applications and supporting planning documents.
- Knowledge of planning issues across the South West region.
- Experience of stakeholder engagement and client management.
- Chartered MRTPI status.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary and annual performance reviews.
- Support towards RTPI chartership and continuing professional development.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Generous annual leave allowance.
- Pension scheme.
- Professional membership subscriptions paid.
- Opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects across the South West and beyond.
- Clear career progression within a growing consultancy.