Senior/Principal Town Planner (Planning Consultancy)

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Job Description

At WSP, there's nothing we love more than pushing boundaries. Harnessing innovation and sharing insights across our diverse, international team to create a tomorrow's world that's cleaner, greener and safer. Join us and you'll be part of an organisation that takes pride in its people and purpose: creating long-lasting solutions to meet the needs of generations to come.

At WSP, you'll find yourself challenged in more fascinating and far-reaching ways than ever before. You'll explore new and inspiring opportunities to make the most of your expertise, broaden your professional horizons and create exciting new possibilities for people, organisations and society in general.

The Planning Consultancy team in Central Bristol specialise in providing commercial planning advice to a wide-range of private and public sector clients. It is a growing front end development team which advises on development proposals throughout all stages of the planning process from feasibility, plan promotion, application, EIA and appeal. Our projects range from complex city centre regeneration sites, tall buildings, high density housing, strategic housing promotion, repurposing town centres, retail development, sports and leisure, logistics and major business parks, through to detailed listed building reuse. We act for developers, land owners, home builders, registered providers, financial institutions, strategic promoters, retailers and operators. We are proud to be involved in leading some of the region's largest and most high-profile schemes.

We are looking to recruit enthusiastic team players with a can do attitude. Candidates will have some private sector consultancy or local authority experience, a proven ability to deliver to a high standard, strong communication skills, passion to share their knowledge and a desire to learn and contribute to the on-going success of our team.

You will be a Senior or Principal Planner with a good knowledge and experience of the planning process including planning applications, permitted development, policy frameworks, plan promotion and the appeal process. You will be well versed in using critical thinking to prepare planning appraisals and strategies, the preparation of all planning documentation for developments, the associated negotiations with planning authorities and stakeholders.

We're looking for Senior/Principal Planners with demonstrable experience, with the confidence and initiative to run projects themselves, but also work within a team on large scale projects. Ideally, you already have private sector experience, but this is not a pre-requisite.

As one of the world's leading engineering, professional services and technical consultancy firms, at WSP, we're passionate about the big questions. And big answers, naturally. For us that's all about reaching beyond the expected, to do work that'll make a profound impact felt long into the future.

Responsibilities

1. Devising planning strategies, assessing site's planning history and relevant planning policies contained within a development plan; as well as national planning policy and guidance.
2. Preparing briefing notes that set out the likelihood of achieving planning permission for housing or employment uses.
3. Drafting planning statements in a clear and persuasive way, to support development proposals.
4. Leading planning aspects in multidisciplinary teams delivering planning projects.
5. Attending site visits, design team and client meetings.
6. Managing project delivery and budgetary control.
7. Working collaboratively with colleagues from across WSP, for example in the Transport or Sustainability Teams, to ensure their advice is factored into the combined advice provided to clients by WSP.
8. Monitoring planning applications and liaising with clients and teams to respond to consultation feedback.

Qualifications

• Strong technical skills
• A commercial approach to planning consultancy and development.
• A desire to work in a growing planning team, surrounded and supported by a raft of fellow professionals.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills
• Drive and determination

About Us

We are WSP - Join us and make your career future ready!

In today's world it's important to work for a company that has clear purpose, giving back to communities and supporting what is truly important in the world.

When considering a career move its vital to work for a business that is aligned to your values and goals, a place where you can belong.

To find out more about our business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: Who We Are | WSP

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

Work-life balance?

WSP recognises that work is only one part of your life and making time for other things is important - whether that's for your families, friends, or yourself.

Our hybrid working policy allows the flexibility to work from the comfort of your own home as well as collaborating in our contemporary offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Diversity?

We want our people to achieve rewarding careers, bringing their whole selves to work. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.

Our employee resource groups VIBE (LGBTQ+ employees), CREED (Championing Racial Equality and Ethnic Diversity) and our Gender Balance Group, in tandem with WSP's Neurodiverse Community Group, WSP Connect Group (visible and non-visible disabilities) help us promote the right environment for you to reach your full potential.

Health & Wellbeing?

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Med24 gives you and your family unrestricted telephone access to an NHS doctor where you can call day or night or have a face-to-face video consultation.

Flex your time?

For improved work life balance, WSP offers the "WSP Hour" which enables you to take one hour per day to do as you wish and make up the time earlier or later that day. We also offer part time and flexible working arrangements plus the option to flex your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development?

We appreciate that development and training is important to you and that's why we have a supportive environment that invests in your development, whether that's chartership, training or mentoring.

APPLY NOW AND BE THE FUTURE OF WSP!

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.

Please note WSP reserves the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date.