Graduate Town Planner / Town Planner in Bedford - Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited

Role: Graduate Town Planner
Location: BedfordshireHybrid: (office-based for first month, then 3 days office / 2 days home)
Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Experience Required: Graduate - 2 years

About the RoleThis is an excellent opportunity for a Graduate Town Planner or someone at the early stages of their career to take responsibility for end-to-end delivery, with full support from Senior Planners and a buddy system. You will manage the planning process for multiple large-scale projects from inception to decision, working with in-house design, external architects and sub-consultants. You'll coordinate inputs, produce/sign-off planning reports, and represent the company in appropriate external forums. Their project portfolio is truly unique, centred on delivering high-quality bereavement and community infrastructure - meaningful work with tangible impact.

Who They're Looking For

? Graduate Planner or up to 2 years' experience ? Full UK driving license, with willingness to travel to site visits across the UK
? Bright, energetic, sociable personality
? Someone who can work independently and manage their time
? Commercially minded and client-focused
? Chartered Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or eligibility for chartered status, preferable

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the planning process for multiple large-scale projects, ensuring quality deliverables and on-time milestones.
• Prepare, review and sign off planning reports and supporting documents.
• Provide planning advice to clients to navigate regulatory matters.
• Represent the company at relevant planning forums, including public consultations, stakeholder events and meetings with authorities (as appropriate to role level).
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams (internal and external) to deliver cohesive submissions.
• Lead and oversee planning applications end-to-end (pre-app, submission, post-decision conditions).
• Contribute to policy documents and feasibility studies to inform new/existing projects.
• Use GIS/tools for site analysis and evidence-based recommendations.
• Monitor and report on application/appeal status; ensure timely actions across RIBA Stages 1-6.

Projects:

Specialise in Development Management, delivering meaningful and sensitive community projects such as:

• Parish extensions
• Crematorium developments
• Wider community and cemetery infrastructure

You'll be at the heart of creating beautiful, accessible spaces for communities - a genuinely rewarding area of planning.

Why Join This Company?

• Hybrid work - first month in office, then 3 in / 2 home
• Beautiful working environment - national park location, manor-house offices
• Strong team culture - sociable, inclusive, open-plan offices
• Growth - expanding team with exciting new projects
• Structured support - weekly project meetings, a buddy system, close collaboration with the Planning Manager
• Benefits:
  • Annual 2% cost-of-living salary increase
  • Christmas bonus
  • Summer team event & formal Christmas function
  • On-site parking

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply directly via this advert, or contact Ollie Jarvis for a further discussion on .

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