Town Planner

Overview

Believ: ABOUT US

At Believ, formerly known as Liberty Charge, we’re committed to sustainable transport being accessible to everyone. We’re a Charge Point Operator (CPO) on a mission to create the UK’s most reliable electric vehicle charging network that doesn’t cost the earth and leaves no one behind. Providing equitable access to electric vehicle charging, and achieving cleaner air for all, is at the heart of the Believ mission.

We work closely with local authorities and businesses to deliver reliable, high quality charging networks at pace, at scale and at zero cost.

We offer all the advantages of being a scale-up business, but with the added security and long-term backing from well-known parents - Liberty Global (who also own our delivery partner, Virgin Media O2) and Zouk Capital (who manage the Government’s Charging Investment Infrastructure Fund).

You’ll be joining this exciting journey at the start of our scale-up phase, and working with us to hit the ambitious targets our shareholders have set. You’ll become part of a passionate and supportive team in a fast-paced, dynamic and result-driven environment.

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Town Planner / Planning Officer to manage and deliver the end-to-end planning process for multiple development sites. This position will be responsible for determining planning requirements, preparing and submitting planning applications where necessary, and overseeing the full lifecycle of the planning process.

• Assess new sites to determine the requirement for planning permission, including reviewing permitted development rights, prior approvals, and relevant planning legislation.
• Prepare, coordinate, and submit planning applications, including associated documentation, plans, and supporting statements, with input from external consultants and contractors as required.
• Manage the planning process for sites, from initial feasibility through to consent, discharge of conditions, and post-approval compliance.
• Act as a point of contact for all planning matters with local planning authorities, statutory consultees, third-party consultants, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor and respond to statutory consultations, objections, and requests for additional information from planning authorities.
• Maintain comprehensive records of all planning submissions, correspondence, decisions, and appeals, ensuring the planning register is kept up to date.
• Prepare regular reports for senior management on planning risk, progress, and emerging issues affecting project delivery.
• Keep up to date with changes in planning policy, guidance, and legislation that may impact the company’s projects, ensuring advice and actions remain compliant and current.
• Support the continuous improvement of internal planning procedures and documentation.

At Believ, we are building a culture that attracts and retains the best talent. We are a dedicated and high-performing team, accustomed to working at pace in an ever-evolving industry, and we are looking for people who are as passionate as us about cutting carbon emissions and providing cleaner air for all. The successful candidate will have the following attributes and skills :

• Demonstrable experience in town planning, ideally with experience in infrastructure, utilities, or large-scale development projects.
• In-depth understanding of UK planning legislation, policy, and the end-to-end planning application process.
• Strong report writing, analytical, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience engaging a range of stakeholders including local authorities, contractors, and the public.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, site layouts, and planning policies.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver work to strict deadlines.

• Accredited degree in Town Planning or a related discipline (RTPI accredited degree essential).
• Full Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) – desirable.

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme
• 25 days’ annual leave, plus the usual 8…