Planning Manager in East Grinstead, West Sussex

Planning Manager

Salary: £60,000 - £67,000 DOE
Car allowance (£870 per month) or company car
Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
25 days' holiday plus bank holidays
Private medical insurance
Competitive pension contribution
Free parking onsite

Location: Outskirts of Crawley

Lloyd Recruitment Services is pleased to be working with a well-established organisation seeking an experienced Planning Manager to join its Estates team on a full-time, permanent basis.

The Role

You will advise the Head of Estates and wider Estates team on planning matters across a UK-wide portfolio of sites. Working closely with internal teams and external consultants, you will help deliver the organisation's long-term property strategy by identifying development opportunities and securing planning consents to improve its estate.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic planning advice on development, redevelopment, changes of use and alternative use opportunities.
• Prepare and submit planning applications, appraisals, statements and Certificates of Lawfulness.
• Manage pre-application discussions and consultations with Local Planning Authorities (LPAs).
• Work closely with Development Managers to progress planning projects and secure consents.
• Instruct and manage external consultants, including planning, heritage, ecology, highways and flood risk specialists.
• Monitor Local Plans and assess their potential impact on existing sites, making representations where appropriate.
• Understand and advise on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements.
• Prepare objections to neighbouring developments that may negatively impact sites.
• Attend site visits, review meetings and occasional Planning Committee meetings.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Accredited degree in Town Planning or a similar discipline.
• Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), with a minimum of four years' post-qualification experience.
• Background in planning advisory work, ideally within an LPA, consultancy or in-house environment.
• Proven track record of securing planning consents for significant development schemes.
• Strong knowledge of the UK Town and Country Planning system and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Experience managing external professional consultants and building effective stakeholder relationships.
• Strong commercial awareness, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing.
• Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel across the UK, including occasional overnight stays.

Additional Information:

Flexible working arrangements are available, combining office, home and site visits.

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Lloyd Recruitment Services are acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy and are an equal opportunities employer.