Graduate Planner and Planner / Senior Planner

We are looking to hire a Graduate Planner or Planner/Senior Planner over the coming months. Details are provided below.

Job Title: Graduate Planner

Location: Bristol (primarily office-based, but hybrid working available)

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience and qualifications (£25,000 – £30,000)

Company: Grass Roots Planning Ltd

Grass Roots Planning Ltd is an independent, growing planning and development consultancy delivering expert advice across residential, mixed-use, retail, heritage, education, leisure, and waste sectors nationwide. Our philosophy is grounded in pragmatic, innovative, and cost-effective planning solutions that marry experience with ambition.

Why Join Us?

• Assorted and varied projects: From garden communities and urban extensions, through to medium and smaller scale schemes across all sectors, we work on a diverse range of projects.
• Diverse client exposure: We work with both public and private sector clients, promoting sites through local plans, managing planning applications, and leading on appeals.
• Leadership & autonomy: Manage your own project portfolio and support more senior members of staff on complex projects.
• Supportive culture: Collaborative team environment who want to support your personal development.

Role Overview

As a Graduate Planner, you will support the team in delivering a wide range of planning projects, from initial site appraisals and planning research through to assisting in preparing planning applications, Development Plan representations, appeals and public consultation work.

You will work closely with senior colleagues, helping to prepare planning documents, undertake research and analysis, liaise with project teams and local planning authorities, and contribute to the successful delivery of projects.

This role would suit a motivated graduate who is keen to develop a strong foundation in planning consultancy and gain broad experience across both strategic and smaller-scale projects.

Your responsibilities will include

• Assisting with planning appraisals, site research and planning policy reviews.
• Supporting the preparation of planning statements, design and access statements, representations and other planning documents.
• Helping to prepare and submit planning applications on the Planning Portal, appeals to the Planning Inspectorate portal and local plan representations.
• Undertaking research into planning policy, site constraints, planning history and development opportunities.
• Attending site visits, client meetings, team meetings and, where appropriate, planning committees.
• Liaising with local planning authorities, consultants and other project team members.
• Supporting public consultation exercises and community engagement material.
• Assisting senior colleagues on larger strategic projects, including site promotions, masterplanning and major planning applications.
• Developing your understanding of planning legislation, policy and development management procedures.
• Working towards your RTPI accreditation.

About You

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, organised and keen to build a career in planning consultancy.

You are likely to have

• A degree and/or postgraduate qualification in town planning, urban planning, planning and development, or a related discipline (ideally at 2:1 level or above).
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 5/B or above, or equivalent.
• Eligibility for, or an interest in working towards, RTPI membership and chartership.
• Strong written communication skills and attention to detail.
• Good research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• An interest in the planning system, development, regeneration and place-making.
• A proactive and positive approach to learning.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office. Experience with GIS, Adobe or planning software would also be beneficial, but is not essential.
• A driving licence.

Previous planning experience, such as a placement year, internship, local authority experience or consultancy experience, would be helpful, but is not essential.

Job Title: Planner to Senior Town Planner

Location: Bristol (primarily office-based, but hybrid working available)

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience (indicative range: £30,000–£42,000)

Company: Grass Roots Planning Ltd

Grass Roots Planning Ltd is an independent, growing planning and development consultancy delivering expert advice across residential, mixed-use, retail heritage, education, leisure, and waste sectors nationwide. Our philosophy is grounded in pragmatic, innovative, and cost-effective planning solutions that marry experience with ambition.

Why Join Us?

• Assorted and varied projects: From garden communities and urban extensions, through to medium and smaller scale schemes across all sectors, we work on a diverse range of projects.
• Diverse client exposure: We work with both public and private sector clients, promoting sites through local plans, managing planning applications, and leading on appeals.
• Leadership & autonomy: Manage your own project portfolio and support more senior members of staff on complex projects.
• Supportive culture: Collaborative team environment who want to support your personal development.

Role Overview

As a Planner or Senior Planner, you will work on a broad range of planning projects. Depending on your experience, you will support senior colleagues on complex strategic projects, manage your own smaller-scale schemes, prepare planning submissions and representations, and help build strong relationships with clients, local planning authorities and project teams.

This is a flexible role suited either to a Planner looking to take the next step in their career, or an established Senior Planner seeking greater autonomy, variety and client exposure in the wide number of sectors we work in.

Depending on experience, responsibilities will include

• Supporting senior colleagues on multi-disciplinary planning projects, including feasibility/appraisals, site promotion, masterplanning, planning applications, appeals and expert witness support.
• Preparing planning statements, representations, site appraisals, consultation material and other planning documents.
• Liaising with clients, local planning authorities, technical consultants and other stakeholders.
• Attending site visits, planning committees (sometimes presenting to members), team meetings and council meetings.
• Supporting local plan promotions, Development Plan representations, SHLAA submissions, public consultations, Section 106 negotiations and condition discharge work.
• Managing your own smaller-scale projects, with appropriate support.

For candidates appointed at Senior Planner level, responsibilities may also include:

• Leading your own project portfolio and acting as the main day-to-day client contact.
• Managing consultant teams and coordinating planning submissions.
• Providing strategic planning advice to clients with less supervision.
• Supporting business development through client relationships, networking and identifying site opportunities.
• Mentoring or supporting more junior members of the team.

About You

We are looking for someone operating at Planner or Senior Planner level, with the final title and responsibilities tailored to experience.

You are likely to have

• Approximately 1–5 years’ relevant planning experience in a consultancy, local authority or similar environment.
• RTPI membership, chartership, working towards chartership, or a clear intention to pursue it.
• Strong written, analytical and presentation skills.
• Experience preparing planning reports, appraisals, representations and/or planning application material.
• Good project management skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• A proactive, commercially aware and client-focused approach.
• A driving licence.

For candidates at Senior Planner level, we would also expect:

• Experience managing or helping to manage planning projects.
• Confidence liaising directly with clients, local planning authorities and consultant teams.
• A track record of providing planning advice and contributing to successful project outcomes.
• An interest in business development, networking and building client relationships.

Ready to Apply?

For either role, please send your CV and a tailored cover letter to ***email_hidden***, or reach out for an informal conversation at 0117 930 0413.