Overview
Following a successful 2025, which saw us take on a variety of new projects and new clients, we feel the time is right to strengthen our team. To support our planning Directors, we are looking for a Senior Planner with the experience to lead planning applications from the earliest stages of scheme development through to determination, and if necessary, on to appeal. We are a small, dynamic, problem solving practice, so you can expect to be working on a wide range of complex projects, leading on your own casework, and contributing to the development of strategies across the practice.
Our work is focused on residential development, but not exclusively so. We are also now working on energy and infrastructure projects. We specialise in complex projects with difficult problems to be solved, which enable us to use our years of experience to produce innovative Planning Strategies for our clients. You will be working closely with clients, consultant teams, local authorities and Origin3’s Directors on a wide range of projects, helping to develop solutions and manage projects against clear project programmes.
You will need strong project management skills; the ability to work collaboratively with the Directors and also with our urban design, masterplanning and architecture teams; have an interest and appreciation for good design; be driven to solve problems and suggest alternative approaches where necessary; and be able to communicate and build relationships directly with our clients.
This position will only suit someone with ambition, who is looking to accelerate their career within a fast moving, commercially minded planning and design practice. You may already be in consultancy and looking to expand your horizons, working closely with clients. Alternatively, you may be a local authority planner looking to move into consultancy within a supportive practice with a broad work programme. In either case, we want to hear from you.
Responsibilities
* Project Management & Coordination: Manage planning applications from inception through to completion, including identifying the tasks and outlining the project programme, assisting the management of workload for junior staff, and ensuring smooth coordination between internal teams, consultants, and external parties to deliver projects on time, within budget and meet client expectations.
* Planning Strategy: Contributing to the development of Planning Strategies to guide clients in achieving successful outcomes for their sites.
* Strategic and Local Planning: Assisting in the preparation of responses to Local Plan consultations.
* Policy Guidance: Provide expert advice on land use policies and planning regulations, ensuring that all projects comply with local and national standards.
* Client Liaison & Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, Planning Authorities, third-party consultants, and other stakeholders, facilitating collaboration and securing necessary approvals.
* Site Analysis & Feasibility Studies: Conduct thorough site assessments and feasibility studies, considering environmental, social, and economic impacts, and advise clients on the most suitable land use and development options.
* Planning Applications & Reports: Prepare and submit planning applications, detailed reports, and supporting documentation, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, deadlines, and meeting client expectations.
* Planning Appeals: Support the preparation and submission of planning appeals, including the drafting of Statements of Case and Proofs of Evidence for Written Representations, Hearings, and Public Inquiries, ensuring a robust case is presented to achieve positive outcomes for clients.
* Research: Stay current with planning trends, policy changes, and industry best practices to provide cutting-edge solutions and maintain Origin3’s reputation as a leader in planning, design and development.
Qualifications
* Education: Bachelor’s degree in Town Planning, Urban Design, Geography, or a related discipline. A Master’s degree or professional certifications (e.g., MRTPI) is highly desirable.
* Experience: Minimum of 3 years in town planning, urban design, or a related field, with proven experience managing complex projects.
* Knowledge: Adept knowledge of planning law and policy frameworks, as well as good knowledge of both public and private sector residential markets
* Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare detailed reports, present proposals, and engage with clients and stakeholders effectively.
* Problem-Solving & Analytical Skills: Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on delivering innovative and practical planning solutions.
* Leadership & Teamwork: Ability to lead projects and collaborate effectively with colleagues, clients, stakeholders, external consultants, and planning authorities in a fast-paced environment.
* Attention to Detail: Strong organisational skills and an ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high-quality standards.
* Time Management Skills: Ability to prioritise tasks effectively, set realistic deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring efficient use of time while maintaining high-quality work and meeting deadlines.
* Independent Working: Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work autonomously, and make informed decisions while managing tasks and projects with minimal supervision, ensuring consistent productivity and high-quality outcomes.
* Technical Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
About Origin3
At Origin3, we endeavour to be the best that we can be, and understand that our people are key to making this happen. We will provide you with a creative working environment and encourage you to be ambitious and continue to develop through mentoring and professional development programmes.
We provide planning services to clients ranging from strategic land promoters, large landowners, national housebuilders through to SME developers. We are driven to play our part in delivering the new homes that people and communities need. If you are similarly passionate about addressing the housing crisis through good, proactive and imaginative planning, with an eye for good design, we want to hear from you.
Our team is highly experienced, ranging from Directors with years of experience across commercial and public sector planning, to others at all stages of their careers. Our vibrant office is located in Clifton, Bristol, and we work on projects across the South-West from Cornwall to Gloucestershire, Somerset to Wiltshire as well as further afield in Oxfordshire and the Midlands.If you join us, you will be working on projects across this area, gaining experience of diverse locations, places and local authorities and solving complex issues as part of the team.
If you are hard-working, passionate and think you’d fit the profile, we want to hear from you. Please email your CV, covering letter and 3 examples of your work to Amber@origin3.co.uk by Friday 20th February 2026.
Don’t quite fit all the criteria, but would like to showcase what you have to offer and think you can add positively to Origin3 in a variety of ways then please do get in touch.
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