Planning Consultant

Planning Consultant

Permanent, Full Time

up to £44,041 per annum

Location: Essex*

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: 4th October 2026

*This is a hybrid-working role contractually based in Chelmsford. You will work from the Chelmsford office at least one day per week, and across our operational area on other days, depending on business need.

Place Services is a multi-disciplinary consultancy within Essex County Council (ECC) providing environmental and planning services to the Council, local authorities and other public bodies. Our purpose is to support the public sector to deliver its role in sustainable development. The purpose of the Planning Consultant is to provide effective delivery of planning services to our clients across Essex and England.

The Planning Consultant will advise on planning matters, including providing development management and strategic policy advice to local authorities, evaluation and delivery of planning assessments, undertaking SEA/SA, and preparing local plan evidence base documents, undertaking supervised specialist tasks as part of multi-disciplinary projects.

The role requires a qualified subject matter expert with graduate level technical knowledge and understanding of planning issues and relevant legislation, policy and standards, and guidance, the ability to communicate to a range of audiences, and an awareness of good client service.

Accountabilities

• Accountable for the effective delivery of a range of planning services including: managing a demanding caseload of minor and major development management and consent consultations at all stages of the planning/consent process (pre-application, application and post consent); strategic policy planning, the development, review, preparation and presentation of evidence documents of small to medium scale and complexity for Local Plans; assisting with the preparation of planning assessments for standard schemes, and medium scale and complex Sustainability Appraisals and Sustainability Environmental Assessments; including data capture, analysis and presentation; and completing supervised tasks as part of multi-disciplinary projects.
• Responsible for co-ordinating and compiling multi-disciplinary responses for specialist planning consultations including district and county level as well as National Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) responses.
• Responsible for maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external clients and partners to ensure successful business outcomes, seeking feedback to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and helping to maintain a client-focused culture across Place services.
• Responsible for enhancing the recognition and reputation of Place Services through promotional events and activities, and by building internal and external networks.
• Responsible for tendering for low-value opportunities; management of low-value projects and contracts, against approved budgets, specifications and indicators.
• Contributes to review and development of legislation, plans, policy and standards, collecting, presenting and preserving evidence including case work documents (including for planning appeals and enforcement) to recognised standards, reviewing outcomes, and assessing third party compliance.
• Contributes to the execution of ECC and client’s responsibilities and duties of care in relation to the town and country planning.
• Contributes to implementing changes to improve effectiveness and efficiency of technical service delivery.
• Contributes to increasing the skills base across the environmental and planning sectors through development and delivery of straight forward training activities and events and preparation of learning materials.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

About you

• Educated to RQF level 6 (Bachelor’s degree), or equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of continual professional development including Licentiate Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
• Capable technical and subject matter expert, with knowledge and experience of relevant development management processes, planning policy, legislation and enforcement, standards and guidance; planning assessments; SEA/SA and Local Plan evidence documents, and related office and site-based practices and procedures.
• Able to work confidently and consistently without supervision across a range of activities, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, using a range of tools to effectively manage simple projects from concept through to completion.
• Demonstrable awareness of wellbeing and H&S, experienced producing and implementing standard risk assessments, and able to identify and implement safe working practices for self and others.
• Able to communicate appropriately with different audiences, including through the preparation, with supervision, of clear, concise and factual written technical advice, documents and reports for straightforward casework and projects, and at public consultations.
• Ability to establish positive working relationships, with demonstrable awareness of good client service.
• Ability to use a range of common software packages, including all Microsoft applications, and, under supervision, to use relevant specialist software, such as GIS to implement data management and presentation of a range evidence and data, and to carry out straightforward research, analysis and interpretation.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this role, so applicants must have current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.

To find out more about us please visit our website: www.placeservices.co.uk.

For an informal discussion about the position please email peter.dawson@essex.gov.uk or call 03330136861 or 07748623787.

To read more about us please visit: www.placeservices.co.uk / Policy, Economy, Investment and Public Health - Working for Essex

Why Essex? Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us here.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community here.

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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