Regional Director (Planning & Environment) – West Country
Location: Hestercombe House - Taunton, Somerset
Terms: Full Time
Role Type: Regional leadership, client advisory, business development and senior fee earning
Package: Competitive senior-level package, with growth-linked milestones, performance-related progression and potential access to a tenure and performance-linked share option arrangement.
Pension: 8% Workplace Pension
Benefits: A beautiful working location, with onsite parking, café and access to 45 acres of landscaped grounds. Dog-friendly office. Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme. 20 days’ basic holiday, plus birthday leave, Christmas and New Year closure, and public holidays.
Start: Immediate / by agreement
Terms: Full Time
Role Type: Regional leadership, client advisory, business development and senior fee earning
Package: Competitive senior-level package, with growth-linked milestones, performance-related progression and potential access to a tenure and performance-linked share option arrangement.
Pension: 8% Workplace Pension
Benefits: A beautiful working location, with onsite parking, café and access to 45 acres of landscaped grounds. Dog-friendly office. Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme. 20 days’ basic holiday, plus birthday leave, Christmas and New Year closure, and public holidays.
Start: Immediate / by agreement
About
Bondstones is a specialist rural planning and architectural consultancy working with landowners, farmers, estates, rural businesses and private clients across the South West.
We advise on rural planning, environmental strategy, change of use, permitted development, farm and land-use diversification, rural tourism, replacement and new dwellings, barn conversions, Class Q, Class R, agricultural buildings, certificates of lawfulness, appeals and wider land-use, development and property matters.
We are now looking to appoint a Regional Director (Planning & Environment) for the West Country.
This is the first of a planned network of regional director roles across the UK, with scope for the role to grow as the company expands. The appointment forms part of a structured growth plan to develop Bondstones from a specialist South West practice into a wider rural planning, architecture and environmental consultancy with national reach.
The immediate focus will be on leading and growing our West Country planning and environmental team. Longer term, the opportunity is to help shape a larger regional and area structure, with potential progression towards wider regional leadership, area directorship and, for the right individual, future board-level involvement.
This is a senior appointment for someone who can combine planning expertise, environmental awareness, commercial judgement, client management and business development. The successful candidate will be at the forefront of implementing Bondstones’ next phase of growth.
We advise on rural planning, environmental strategy, change of use, permitted development, farm and land-use diversification, rural tourism, replacement and new dwellings, barn conversions, Class Q, Class R, agricultural buildings, certificates of lawfulness, appeals and wider land-use, development and property matters.
We are now looking to appoint a Regional Director (Planning & Environment) for the West Country.
This is the first of a planned network of regional director roles across the UK, with scope for the role to grow as the company expands. The appointment forms part of a structured growth plan to develop Bondstones from a specialist South West practice into a wider rural planning, architecture and environmental consultancy with national reach.
The immediate focus will be on leading and growing our West Country planning and environmental team. Longer term, the opportunity is to help shape a larger regional and area structure, with potential progression towards wider regional leadership, area directorship and, for the right individual, future board-level involvement.
This is a senior appointment for someone who can combine planning expertise, environmental awareness, commercial judgement, client management and business development. The successful candidate will be at the forefront of implementing Bondstones’ next phase of growth.
The role
The Regional Director (Planning & Environment) will begin with senior consultancy and regional leadership responsibilities, taking responsibility for rural planning, environmental strategy and related rural property consultancy work across the West Country.
The role will involve delivering and developing Stepping Stones™ - our client-focused, risk-managed planning methodology - advising clients from first enquiry through strategy, environmental considerations, application preparation, negotiations, decision-making and ongoing project delivery. You will be expected to provide clear, commercially focused advice that balances planning, environmental, design and business objectives.
Alongside project delivery, the role carries a clear growth mandate. You will help build the planning and environmental team, develop the client base, strengthen regional delivery capacity and support the wider development of Bondstones’ structured business model.
Our initial target is to grow the West Country regional team to around 15 professionals, including planning, architecture, environmental and related support roles. Longer term, our ambition is to develop the southern area into a significantly larger group of regional professional teams over the next decade.
This role is therefore suited to someone who wants more than a conventional planning position. It is for someone who wants to be directly involved in building a team, developing a region, shaping services and taking a senior role in the growth of a specialist consultancy.
The role will involve delivering and developing Stepping Stones™ - our client-focused, risk-managed planning methodology - advising clients from first enquiry through strategy, environmental considerations, application preparation, negotiations, decision-making and ongoing project delivery. You will be expected to provide clear, commercially focused advice that balances planning, environmental, design and business objectives.
Alongside project delivery, the role carries a clear growth mandate. You will help build the planning and environmental team, develop the client base, strengthen regional delivery capacity and support the wider development of Bondstones’ structured business model.
Our initial target is to grow the West Country regional team to around 15 professionals, including planning, architecture, environmental and related support roles. Longer term, our ambition is to develop the southern area into a significantly larger group of regional professional teams over the next decade.
This role is therefore suited to someone who wants more than a conventional planning position. It is for someone who wants to be directly involved in building a team, developing a region, shaping services and taking a senior role in the growth of a specialist consultancy.
Key Responsibilities
The role will include:
- Leading planning and environmental consultancy work across rural and semi-rural projects.
- Providing strategic advice on planning, environmental constraints, development opportunities, risk and commercial viability.
- Overseeing planning applications, prior notifications, certificates of lawfulness, appeals and related submissions.
- Advising on rural permitted development matters, including Class Q, Class R and agricultural development.
- Supporting clients with business development, rural diversification, tourism, health and wellness, leisure, hospitality, equestrian, renewable energy and land-based development projects.
- Managing pre-application discussions, planning negotiations and responses to local planning authority and statutory consultee queries.
- Providing oversight of environmental considerations relevant to development proposals, including ecology, landscape, biodiversity, sustainability and wider land-use matters.
- Working with external specialists where required, including ecologists, landscape consultants, heritage consultants, drainage consultants and transport consultants.
- Helping to grow Bondstones’ planning and environmental service lines through the Stepping Stones™ framework.
- Supporting recruitment, mentoring, training and team development across the region.
- Reviewing technical work before issue to clients or submission to local planning authorities.
- Developing new client relationships and converting suitable enquiries into fee-paying instructions.
- Supporting business growth, operational improvement and profitability across the region.
- Representing Bondstones professionally with clients, consultants, local authorities, environmental bodies and other stakeholders.
Growth Pathway
This appointment is intended to form part of Bondstones’ long-term leadership structure.
The starting point is Regional Director (Planning & Environment) for the West Country, with responsibility for leading and growing the regional planning and environmental offer.
As the business develops, progression may include a wider regional leadership role, area director responsibilities, involvement in the development of additional regional teams and offices, and long-term board-level participation for the right individual.
The role may also provide access to future share option or incentive arrangements, subject to performance, continued employment and formal agreement.
This is an opportunity to join at an early stage in a structured growth plan, with the scope to influence how the planning and environmental teams are built from the outset.
The starting point is Regional Director (Planning & Environment) for the West Country, with responsibility for leading and growing the regional planning and environmental offer.
As the business develops, progression may include a wider regional leadership role, area director responsibilities, involvement in the development of additional regional teams and offices, and long-term board-level participation for the right individual.
The role may also provide access to future share option or incentive arrangements, subject to performance, continued employment and formal agreement.
This is an opportunity to join at an early stage in a structured growth plan, with the scope to influence how the planning and environmental teams are built from the outset.
The person we are looking for
We are seeking someone with strong planning judgement, rural property awareness, environmental awareness and a practical understanding of rural development.
You are likely to have significant planning and development experience, ideally gained within private practice, consultancy or a related professional environment. We are more interested in ability, judgement, leadership potential and commercial fit than years of experience alone.
You may be MRTPI, MRICS, working towards professional qualification, or able to demonstrate equivalent experience.
Additional environmental, land-use, ecology, landscape or sustainability-related knowledge would be advantageous.
You should be confident advising clients directly and capable of providing clear, pragmatic guidance. You will be comfortable discussing risk, opportunity, costs, programme, prospects and likely outcomes with clients and stakeholders.
We are particularly interested in candidates with experience of rural planning, environmental planning, agriculture, estates, land use, tourism, diversification or related sectors. Experience with rural permitted development, Class Q, Class R, agricultural buildings, replacement and new rural dwellings, certificates of lawfulness, appeals or environmental planning matters would be highly valuable.
The successful candidate will be technically capable, commercially aware, self-motivated and comfortable taking responsibility for project delivery, business development and team growth.
This role will not suit someone who wants a narrow casework position or a purely technical planning post. It will suit someone with an entrepreneurial outlook who wants to build a team, develop a region and take ownership of a specialist service line.
You are likely to have significant planning and development experience, ideally gained within private practice, consultancy or a related professional environment. We are more interested in ability, judgement, leadership potential and commercial fit than years of experience alone.
You may be MRTPI, MRICS, working towards professional qualification, or able to demonstrate equivalent experience.
Additional environmental, land-use, ecology, landscape or sustainability-related knowledge would be advantageous.
You should be confident advising clients directly and capable of providing clear, pragmatic guidance. You will be comfortable discussing risk, opportunity, costs, programme, prospects and likely outcomes with clients and stakeholders.
We are particularly interested in candidates with experience of rural planning, environmental planning, agriculture, estates, land use, tourism, diversification or related sectors. Experience with rural permitted development, Class Q, Class R, agricultural buildings, replacement and new rural dwellings, certificates of lawfulness, appeals or environmental planning matters would be highly valuable.
The successful candidate will be technically capable, commercially aware, self-motivated and comfortable taking responsibility for project delivery, business development and team growth.
This role will not suit someone who wants a narrow casework position or a purely technical planning post. It will suit someone with an entrepreneurial outlook who wants to build a team, develop a region and take ownership of a specialist service line.
Required experience and qualities.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate:
- Strong planning-led rural property, land-use or development consultancy experience.
- A sound understanding of the English planning system.
- Knowledge of environmental considerations affecting rural development.
- Good understanding of rural property, agriculture, estates and land-use issues.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Confidence in client-facing and stakeholder-facing roles.
- Commercial awareness and an understanding of project scope, fee recovery and risk management.
- The ability to manage competing priorities and lead projects effectively.
- A practical, solutions-focused approach.
- Leadership capability and an interest in developing teams.
- An ability to identify opportunities and convert suitable enquiries into professional instructions.
- Professional judgement and a high standard of integrity.
Desirable experience
The following would be advantageous:
- MRTPI, MRICS or eligibility for professional qualification.
- Private practice planning consultancy experience.
- Experience of Class Q, Class R and rural permitted development.
- Experience advising farmers, landowners, estates or rural businesses.
- Appeal experience.
- Experience managing, mentoring or leading professional teams.
- Knowledge of environmental planning, ecology, biodiversity net gain, landscape, sustainability or land management issues.
- A background in rural property, estate management, agriculture or land use.
- Experience generating new business and developing client relationships.
- Experience helping to build a team, department or service line.
Package.
The package will be competitive and structured around experience, capability, leadership contribution and commercial performance.
This is a senior appointment with scope for growth-linked progression, performance-related incentives and potential access to a tenure and performance-linked share option arrangement.
The right candidate will be expected to contribute to both professional delivery and regional business growth. In return, Bondstones is prepared to structure a package that reflects the individual’s ability to generate work, lead a team and help develop the planning and environmental service line.
Any share option, equity or incentive arrangement would be subject to formal agreement, performance, continued employment and appropriate shareholder protections.
This role offers a genuine long-term opportunity for someone who wants to help build, lead and shape a specialist rural planning and environmental consultancy.
This is a senior appointment with scope for growth-linked progression, performance-related incentives and potential access to a tenure and performance-linked share option arrangement.
The right candidate will be expected to contribute to both professional delivery and regional business growth. In return, Bondstones is prepared to structure a package that reflects the individual’s ability to generate work, lead a team and help develop the planning and environmental service line.
Any share option, equity or incentive arrangement would be subject to formal agreement, performance, continued employment and appropriate shareholder protections.
This role offers a genuine long-term opportunity for someone who wants to help build, lead and shape a specialist rural planning and environmental consultancy.
Location
The role will be based at Hestercombe House, near Taunton in Somerset.
Hestercombe provides an attractive professional working environment, with onsite parking, café facilities and access to 45 acres of landscaped grounds. Bondstones operates from The Old Library, within the wider Hestercombe estate.
The role will focus on the West Country and wider South West, with regular site visits, client meetings and stakeholder engagement across the region.
Hybrid working may be considered, but this is a regional leadership role and will require a regular office presence, close working with the team and active involvement in business development across the area.
Hestercombe provides an attractive professional working environment, with onsite parking, café facilities and access to 45 acres of landscaped grounds. Bondstones operates from The Old Library, within the wider Hestercombe estate.
The role will focus on the West Country and wider South West, with regular site visits, client meetings and stakeholder engagement across the region.
Hybrid working may be considered, but this is a regional leadership role and will require a regular office presence, close working with the team and active involvement in business development across the area.
Why Bondstones
Bondstones offers a focused alternative to larger multidisciplinary firms.
We are a specialist rural planning and architectural practice with established systems, a clear client process, a growing workload and a structured plan for expansion.
The business has a strong position in rural planning, change of use, permitted development, diversification and development strategy. We work with landowners, farmers, estates, rural businesses and private clients who need clear, commercially aware advice rather than generic planning support.
This role offers autonomy, direct client engagement, technical variety and the opportunity to help shape the future direction of our planning and environmental services.
For the right person, this is an opportunity to move beyond project delivery and take a leading role in building a specialist consultancy with regional strength and national ambition.
We are a specialist rural planning and architectural practice with established systems, a clear client process, a growing workload and a structured plan for expansion.
The business has a strong position in rural planning, change of use, permitted development, diversification and development strategy. We work with landowners, farmers, estates, rural businesses and private clients who need clear, commercially aware advice rather than generic planning support.
This role offers autonomy, direct client engagement, technical variety and the opportunity to help shape the future direction of our planning and environmental services.
For the right person, this is an opportunity to move beyond project delivery and take a leading role in building a specialist consultancy with regional strength and national ambition.
How to apply
Initial confidential conversations are welcome. You do not need to submit a formal application before speaking with us.
If you would like to discuss the role, please contact Ian Firth (MD) directly for an initial conversation in confidence.
Formal applications should include a CV and a short covering note outlining your relevant experience, your interest in rural planning and environmental consultancy, and the type of leadership role you are now looking for.
You may also include non-confidential examples of relevant project work, if available, although this is not required at the initial stage.
All enquiries and applications will be treated in confidence.
If you would like to discuss the role, please contact Ian Firth (MD) directly for an initial conversation in confidence.
Formal applications should include a CV and a short covering note outlining your relevant experience, your interest in rural planning and environmental consultancy, and the type of leadership role you are now looking for.
You may also include non-confidential examples of relevant project work, if available, although this is not required at the initial stage.
All enquiries and applications will be treated in confidence.
