About the role:

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Development Planner to work on a range of private and public sector planning projects across the UK.

Regularly shortlisted at the RTPI and Planning Awards, and RTPI Planning Consultancy of the Year 2022, LUC will celebrate 60 years of pioneering planning and environmental consultancy in 2026. This is an exciting opportunity to take the next step in your planning career joining our friendly team of 80 planners who work across our offices in London, Manchester, Bristol, Glasgow, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

Our key sectors include Renewable energy, Education, Sport and recreation, Historic environment and Public realm. With our complementary multi-disciplinary services, we help clients to maximise the potential of their development, while respecting key assets. We work with the climate and biodiversity emergencies firmly in mind.

Our current projects include advising on wind, solar, energy storage and grid upgrade projects; masterplans and major projects for schools; landmark developments in historic parks and gardens; new facilities for sport and recreation; and parks, recreation and housing schemes for local authorities.

As an experienced Development Planner you will provide planning advice and act as project manager on a range of private and public sector projects. While you will primarily work on development planning projects, there may also be opportunities to work on strategic planning projects alongside development planning projects.

Key elements of the role include:

• Advising clients on the feasibility of projects.
• Providing and seeking pre-application advice.
• Preparing, submitting and negotiating on planning applications.
• Responding to development proposals and plans.
• Providing EIA screening advice and coordinating specialist reviews of Environmental Statements for LPAs.
• Supporting and preparing fee proposals and tender submissions.

The role includes the opportunity to share and participate actively in the management and ownership of the business through the Employee Ownership Trust, which places full ownership of the company with the employees.

The role is based in LUC’s Manchester office in the Northern Quarter. We work in a hybrid model with people being in the office a minimum of two days per week. There will also be travel required to visit sites, client offices and other office locations.

A full-time role is based on 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday). However, LUC has a strong track record in flexible working, and we have been recognised for our flexible working culture, so we are happy to discuss a range of flexible working options for this role including part time hours (minimum 30 hours per week) if desired.

Salary: £32,500 - £46,000 FTE (Dependent on experience).

Experience and qualifications

We are seeking an experienced Development Planner to work on projects across the UK at a range of scales. You will be involved at all project stages, from business development and drafting fee proposals to acting as project manager through feasibility and pre-application stages, managing the application submission process, through to discharging conditions, working with a Project Director and other team members.

Essential

• You will be keen to learn and assist on a range of projects, with the ability to project manage smaller projects.
• Development management experience, ideally in both the public and private sectors, such as the preparation of feasibility studies, pre-application / planning application reports, submitting applications and experience dealing with (and/or working within) local authority planning departments.
• More experienced candidates will have worked on a range of applications or development projects at different scales and complexities, acting as project manager, and negotiating with local planning authorities / applicants.
• The ability to communicate complex planning issues clearly and make concise planning arguments.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Good negotiation skills.
• Understanding of sustainability and wider environmental issues.
• Educated to at least degree level, in a relevant Planning or other degree (graduate and/or post-graduate).
• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or be working towards it.
  

Desirable

• Experience in our key sectors, ideally in renewable energy / supporting infrastructure.
• Experience of working on projects at a variety of scales.
• Knowledge, understanding and experience of planning systems in England, Wales and Scotland, including for larger infrastructure projects (e.g. DCO / NSIP experience in England & DNS experience in Wales).
• Knowledge, understanding and experience of Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Experience in planning policy / other strategic planning work.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

Please apply by uploading your CV and covering letter via the above link

LUC is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. We value the differences, needs and contributions a diverse workforce represents, and we strive to embed equality, diversity and inclusion in all our people related activities.