Senior Planner
Location: Westcountry - Hestercombe House - Taunton, Somerset
Terms: F/T
Role Type: Planning Team Leader - Client Facing - Fee Earner
Salary: Starting at £38k+ uncapped (plus individual performance bonus + company bonus scheme)
Pension: 8% Workplace Pension (incs. 3% employer's contribution)
Start: ASAP
Having successfully filled this role at the end of 2023 with a superb team member, due to an unexpected change of circumstances we are re-opening this position with immediate effect.
We are continuing to work on our ambitious plans to expand Bondstones over the coming years - as a result we are urgently seeking at-least one full time planning consultant - to join our regional team in the South / South West of England.
We are seeking a true team player with a passion for rural property and with a strong desire to develop their professional career within an ambitious practice...
Experience
You may have a few years' experience within a larger 'traditional' firm of Agents, Architects or Planners. Likewise, you may have been in Local Authority Development Management for a while...
In your current role you are likely to have hit a glass ceiling - you are frustrated with higher management's attitude towards junior staff - or perhaps you feel unable to develop your career further and a change of scene is needed.
You may come from a background in Local Authority - and are now hoping to develop your role as a leader within a dynamic, forward thinking and ambitious business?
Maybe, you previously took the plunge from the security of employment into freelance / self employment - but now you're missing a teamworking environment and support in your work...
In any case we'd love to hear from you!
Essential
Whatever your circumstances, you will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the planning system and point us towards some of your recent work. Your professional focus will need to be 100% client focussed (that is to say - with us, you will work exclusively for land owners, farmers, estate owners, householders, small developers and private clients - which will remain our business focus for the future).
Our work is often challenging but always interesting - often requiring creative thinking and an out-of-the-box approach to obtain the results on which we have a built our reputation.
Desirable
Membership of RTPI (or perhaps RICS) would be desirable (but neither is essential if your track record and ability shines through).
Ideally you will have experience in Development Management - particularly in rural matters and areas / topics such as:
NOTE: The above list is neither prescriptive or exclusive - it is provided as an indicative selection of potential experience / expertise...
Most importantly the right person will align with our values
We are digital
To fit in to our digital eco-system you will need to be proficient in the use of Office 365.
On the job training will be provided for our bespoke workflows & project delivery methodologies. That said, you will take an active role in developing these as part of this role!
Training will be provided in our preferred software - however experience / ability in any of the following will be beneficial:
SketchUp Pro & Layout
AutoCAD LT
Photoshop / Affinity
CorelDraw
Etc.
The Role
The role will be highly adaptable to suit suitable candidates' experience and ability - however, in no particular order, the position will likely entail a broad combination of some, or ideally - all, of the following areas:
Location:
The role will be centred on projects based predominantly around the Southern Counties - Especially Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset & Wiltshire - with some scope for travel elsewhere in the UK.
The role is full-time (42.5 hours incs breaks) and office based with flexibility for occasional WFH.
A full driving licence is a prerequisite and you will need to have access to a vehicle / be prepared to travel to client sites on a regular basis.
Terms & Flexibility
We are not your typical 'old school firm' - we are both modern and flexible in our approach... This role may therefore suit someone who is seeking to return to work - or who needs day to day flexibility in managing family commitments...
Ultimately, we want Bondstones to work for you...!
NOTE:
If you feel that you have something to offer us in this field, but your personal circumstances don't quite match with the role we have described - please do get in touch - we are always open to discussion...
Terms: F/T
Role Type: Planning Team Leader - Client Facing - Fee Earner
Salary: Starting at £38k+ uncapped (plus individual performance bonus + company bonus scheme)
Pension: 8% Workplace Pension (incs. 3% employer's contribution)
Start: ASAP
Having successfully filled this role at the end of 2023 with a superb team member, due to an unexpected change of circumstances we are re-opening this position with immediate effect.
We are continuing to work on our ambitious plans to expand Bondstones over the coming years - as a result we are urgently seeking at-least one full time planning consultant - to join our regional team in the South / South West of England.
We are seeking a true team player with a passion for rural property and with a strong desire to develop their professional career within an ambitious practice...
Experience
You may have a few years' experience within a larger 'traditional' firm of Agents, Architects or Planners. Likewise, you may have been in Local Authority Development Management for a while...
In your current role you are likely to have hit a glass ceiling - you are frustrated with higher management's attitude towards junior staff - or perhaps you feel unable to develop your career further and a change of scene is needed.
You may come from a background in Local Authority - and are now hoping to develop your role as a leader within a dynamic, forward thinking and ambitious business?
Maybe, you previously took the plunge from the security of employment into freelance / self employment - but now you're missing a teamworking environment and support in your work...
In any case we'd love to hear from you!
Essential
Whatever your circumstances, you will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the planning system and point us towards some of your recent work. Your professional focus will need to be 100% client focussed (that is to say - with us, you will work exclusively for land owners, farmers, estate owners, householders, small developers and private clients - which will remain our business focus for the future).
Our work is often challenging but always interesting - often requiring creative thinking and an out-of-the-box approach to obtain the results on which we have a built our reputation.
Desirable
Membership of RTPI (or perhaps RICS) would be desirable (but neither is essential if your track record and ability shines through).
Ideally you will have experience in Development Management - particularly in rural matters and areas / topics such as:
- Permitted Development - Particularly '28 Day Prior Notifications', Class Q, Class R and similar
- Rural Estate & Agricultural Development
- Equestrian, Sporting & other Rural Business
- Rural Diversification
- Green & Sustainable Tourism
- Land, Landscape, Ecology & Environmental Management
- Renewable Energy Projects
- Barn conversions & Changes of Use
- Heritage Assets & Listed Buildings
- Lawful Development Certificates
- Enforcement Issues
- Planning Appeals
- Etc...
NOTE: The above list is neither prescriptive or exclusive - it is provided as an indicative selection of potential experience / expertise...
Most importantly the right person will align with our values
We are digital
To fit in to our digital eco-system you will need to be proficient in the use of Office 365.
On the job training will be provided for our bespoke workflows & project delivery methodologies. That said, you will take an active role in developing these as part of this role!
Training will be provided in our preferred software - however experience / ability in any of the following will be beneficial:
SketchUp Pro & Layout
AutoCAD LT
Photoshop / Affinity
CorelDraw
Etc.
The Role
The role will be highly adaptable to suit suitable candidates' experience and ability - however, in no particular order, the position will likely entail a broad combination of some, or ideally - all, of the following areas:
- Site visits / client meetings across Southern England - providing direct advice on planning and procedure - to both retained & prospective customers
- Preparation of site appraisals / planning reports / feasibility studies
- Engaging in sales activities / supporting your team with sales, preparing business proposals, formal quotations and options
- Delivery of research & advice on planning policy and interpretation / implementation thereof
- Advising on and resolving planning enforcement issues
- Preparation, submission and management of planning applications
- Preparation and interpretation of business plans & other supporting evidence (agricultural dwelling house appraisals etc.)
- Project management - working with and managing various contractors and 3rd party specialists
- Case law, appeals, statute & policy analysis and reporting (for both internal and external communications)
- Representation of clients in public at presentations, committee meetings and planning appeals
- Various external communications / marcomms activities
- Representation of the company at events, shows & presentations
- And any other roles that may be developed to suit your experience, abilities and interests...
Location:
The role will be centred on projects based predominantly around the Southern Counties - Especially Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset & Wiltshire - with some scope for travel elsewhere in the UK.
The role is full-time (42.5 hours incs breaks) and office based with flexibility for occasional WFH.
A full driving licence is a prerequisite and you will need to have access to a vehicle / be prepared to travel to client sites on a regular basis.
Terms & Flexibility
We are not your typical 'old school firm' - we are both modern and flexible in our approach... This role may therefore suit someone who is seeking to return to work - or who needs day to day flexibility in managing family commitments...
Ultimately, we want Bondstones to work for you...!
NOTE:
If you feel that you have something to offer us in this field, but your personal circumstances don't quite match with the role we have described - please do get in touch - we are always open to discussion...
