Planner, Research and Analysis – Bedford or Sheffield

Planner – Research and Analysis

Terms: Permanent role
Location: Bedford or Sheffield
£: Negotiable

DLP is one of the UK’s leading employee-owned planning-led practices, providing tailored multidisciplinary advice to our clients across the development sector.

Joining DLP brings with it the opportunity to gain valuable experience working alongside skilled professionals who will provide you with essential guidance and support to grow your career as a professional planner. You will also have the ability to work for a wide variety of clients and projects across both the private and public sectors and alongside colleagues in the wider DLP Group’s core business sectors which include:

• Town Planning
• Masterplanning & Urban Design
• Architecture
• Transport & Infrastructure
• Sustainability Engineering
• Environmental Services

The range of benefits that we offer to our employees includes flexible working, private healthcare with BUPA, life insurance, company salary sacrifice pension, cycle to work scheme, contributions towards professional subscriptions and enhanced maternity scheme.

Who are we looking for?

Due to continued growth in workload DLP Planning Ltd are seeking to recruit a Planner within the Company’s Research & Analysis (R&A) team. The position will be based at either of DLP’s Bedford or Sheffield Offices, but the flexibility of virtual working will allow the candidate to work nationally, providing advice and guidance to all DLP offices and clients across the country.

The Research & Analysis Team’s work is based on providing support for planning applications and appeals, the promotion of land for development and preparation of planning policy as part of work across the private and public sectors. We undertake a broad range of work including demographic analysis, assessments of housing and employment need and supply, and socio-economic analysis. We make recognised contributions to key strategic debates within the planning sector. These include encouraging cooperation beyond local authority boundaries, managing the release of land from the Green Belt for development and seeking to increase housing delivery and meet specialist housing needs, such as affordable housing or housing for older people.

If these topics reflect your interests and experience this role may be suitable for you.

Our recent work has concentrated on the production of evidence on five year housing land supply assessments, establishing housing need, interrogating the need and supply for employment land and illustrating the economic impact of development proposals. We regularly contribute to, attend and influence Local Plan Examinations and Planning Appeals in relation to these matters, as well as undertaking bespoke research commissions.

Supporting your professional development

We support our staff with a very active training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme which is intended to educate, inform and invite feedback.

Our CPD programme involves presentations from both external speakers and internal staff members, with all staff encouraged to present on a relevant topic to develop their presentation skills.

Every staff member is formally reviewed at least annually.  During this process, achievements and future targets are reflected upon and discussed – always with the aim of learning and moving forward.

Supporting your wellbeing

As an Employee Ownership Trust, our staff, their wellbeing and their personal and professional development is of paramount importance to us.

We are committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and wellbeing throughout DLP and as an organisation we seek to:

• Actively contribute towards enhancing social value, including through our impacts on the environment, communities, local economies and innovation.
• Promote mental, physical and social wellbeing in the workplace.
• Actively promote, celebrate and enhance diversity across the organisation.
• Cultivate and promote an inclusive culture that maximises the talent, skills and diversity within our workforce.

 What do we expect from you?

This post would suit a graduate or early career planner or economist/geographer with a background in socio-economic research who is able to demonstrate a high level of numeracy and strong analytical skills using relevant software including Microsoft Excel. The post holder will work closely with the existing Research & Analysis team and with support from the Directors on a range of strategic and smaller specialist projects.

The ability to prepare clear and concise reports and be able to convey planning and associated socio-economic issues in a succinct way is an essential requirement of the role. The role would be suited to recent graduates able to demonstrate their suitability and the skills required. A Town Planning qualification and relevant planning experience gained within the private or public sector either gained during your studies or recently following graduation is desirable but not essential.

Essential skills for the role include accuracy and attention to detail in terms of sourcing and analysing quantitative and qualitative data and the ability to understand the preparation and application of methodologies relevant to undertaking socio-economic and demographic research. The successful candidate may have studied related disciplines including economics or geography or demonstrate a background in socio-economic research.

They should also be IT literate with good skills in word processing, database management and spreadsheets; with a particular emphasis on statistical analysis. Skills in programming and GIS are desirable but not essential.

You will be tasked with a variety of work appropriate to your level of experience and skill, including the collection, analysis and presentation of data and evidence, and preparation of reports to support application proposals, contributions to Local Plan Examinations, or Planning Appeals and Inquiries. The post holder may also be required to work alongside colleagues from across the company on a wide range of projects.

A full driving licence is desirable.

We offer hybrid, flexible working with core hours of 9.30am to 3.30pm (subject to project demands) and therefore need a commitment from our staff to work collaboratively in a face-to-face environment on ‘core’ office days. Should you choose to work from home on ‘non-core’ days, you will be trusted to work independently but you will still have the support of colleagues who will be available via telephone and videocall.

How can you apply?

If you are interested in a Planner position within the Research and Analysis team at DLP then please send us your current CV to careers@dlpconsultants.co.uk and our HR team will be in touch.