Our client is a well-established housebuilder with an active land bank across Oxfordshire and the wider Thames Valley. They’re looking for a Planning Manager to manage live applications through to consent while also shaping strategic land opportunities ahead of allocation.
This is a role for someone equally comfortable in a committee meeting defending a reserved matters application and in a strategy session identifying the next round of promotion sites.
The role
You’ll hold responsibility across two distinct but connected areas: getting current sites through planning, and building the pipeline for future ones.
- Manage a live portfolio of planning applications from submission through to determination, including outline, reserved matters, and Section 73 variations
- Lead pre-application engagement with Oxfordshire’s local planning authorities, building relationships with officers and elected members
- Draft and coordinate planning statements, design and access statements, and supporting technical evidence with external consultants
- Negotiate S106 obligations, CIL liabilities, and viability positions with a clear eye on scheme profitability
- Present at planning committee where required, and manage appeals process where consent is refused
Strategic responsibilities
- Assess strategic land opportunities against emerging Local Plans, the NPPF, and grey belt policy direction
- Work with land and technical teams to appraise site promotion opportunities, including call-for-sites submissions
- Monitor Local Plan progress across Oxfordshire authorities (Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, West Oxfordshire) and identify allocation opportunities early
- Build and maintain relationships with promoters, agents, and landowners to support future land pipeline
- Contribute to housing land supply and five-year supply arguments where relevant to live applications and appeals
What we’re looking for
- Minimum 5 years’ planning experience gained in-house at a housebuilder, or consultancy experience with strong housebuilder client exposure
- Track record of securing consents on medium-to-large residential schemes
- Working knowledge of NPPF, S106, CIL, and biodiversity net gain requirements
- Confidence engaging directly with planning officers, councillors, and objectors
- RTPI membership desirable but not essential if experience is strong
To apply for this job email your details to tom@tdm-recruitment.com.
