Strutt & Parker, a premier UK-based property consultancy, plays a critical role in shaping urban and rural landscapes through its expert planning services. As a Planning Consultant, you will be at the forefront of advising clients on development potential, navigating planning applications, and contributing to major housing, commercial, and rural projects. This role blends strategic thinking with regulatory expertise and communication finesse.
Typical duties include preparing planning applications, conducting feasibility assessments, liaising with local authorities, managing appeals, and offering development advice. You’ll work closely with landowners, developers, and investors to unlock land value while ensuring compliance with planning policy.
The average salary for a Planning Consultant at Strutt & Parker in the UK ranges from £30,000 to £50,000, depending on experience, with senior positions reaching up to £70,000+. The role offers excellent career growth, exposure to high-value projects, and opportunities for professional accreditation with the RTPI.
Top 20 Strutt & Parker Planning Consultant Interview Questions and Answers
1. What attracted you to the Planning Consultant role at Strutt & Parker?
Sample Answer: I’m drawn to Strutt & Parker’s reputation for high-impact, high-integrity planning solutions. Your involvement in both rural and urban developments aligns with my passion for strategic land use that supports sustainable growth.
2. How do you stay updated with changes in planning legislation and policy?
Sample Answer: I subscribe to RTPI newsletters, monitor local plan updates, and regularly attend webinars hosted by planning authorities and consultancies.
3. Can you walk me through a planning application you’ve managed?
Sample Answer: At my last role, I managed a full application for a mixed-use development, liaising with stakeholders, preparing design statements, and addressing planning officer feedback to secure approval within six months.
4. How would you handle an objection from a local community group?
Sample Answer: I’d engage early through consultation meetings, listen to concerns, and propose mitigations such as altered designs or community benefits to foster collaboration and reduce opposition.
5. What’s your experience with planning appeals?
Sample Answer: I’ve prepared appeal documentation for three cases, including one that was successfully overturned by the Planning Inspectorate due to robust evidence I provided on housing need and design.
6. Describe a time when you had to influence a planning officer’s decision.
Sample Answer: I persuaded a planning officer to support a change-of-use application by presenting a detailed viability assessment and demonstrating community gain.
7. How do you prioritize multiple planning projects?
Sample Answer: I use project management tools to track timelines, set client milestones, and flag critical dates. I also hold weekly reviews with the team to stay on course.
8. How would you advise a client on a site with Green Belt designation?
Sample Answer: I’d assess if exceptions apply, such as limited infilling or previously developed land. I’d also explore special circumstances that could justify development.
9. What makes a planning application compelling?
Sample Answer: A clear, policy-aligned case supported by robust technical evidence, attractive design, and demonstrable public benefit enhances the likelihood of approval.
10. Have you ever faced a planning refusal? What did you learn?
Sample Answer: Yes, a rural housing proposal was refused due to landscape impact. I learned the importance of early landscape assessments and pre-app engagement.
11. What planning software or tools are you familiar with?
Sample Answer: I’ve used GIS mapping, AutoCAD for layouts, and planning portals like Planning Portal UK and local authority systems for submissions.
12. How do you ensure your advice is commercially viable?
Sample Answer: I always balance planning policy with financial outcomes. I work with valuation teams to ensure proposals support ROI for the client.
13. Tell me about a complex stakeholder negotiation you led.
Sample Answer: I mediated between a client and local heritage society on a listed building project, facilitating a compromise on design that preserved historic elements while allowing development.
14. How do you align your planning work with sustainability goals?
Sample Answer: I push for schemes that integrate green infrastructure, reduce car dependency, and enhance biodiversity, often exceeding baseline policy requirements.
15. What is your understanding of Strutt & Parker’s planning ethos?
Sample Answer: Strutt & Parker values intelligent, strategic planning that unlocks land potential while respecting policy and community needs—an approach I admire and emulate.
16. How would you handle conflicting client expectations and policy constraints?
Sample Answer: I set clear expectations early, offering realistic assessments and exploring creative but compliant solutions to meet client goals.
17. How do you approach a site appraisal?
Sample Answer: I review planning history, constraints, and local plan designations. I then assess opportunities and risks before preparing a recommendation report.
18. What role does public consultation play in your planning process?
Sample Answer: It’s crucial. Early engagement often leads to smoother applications. I organize events, prepare consultation summaries, and integrate feedback into proposals.
19. What planning trend do you think will shape the future of UK development?
Sample Answer: The push for net-zero and climate-resilient development will increasingly influence planning policy and client expectations.
20. Why should we hire you for this role?
Sample Answer: I bring strong technical knowledge, client advisory skills, and a collaborative approach, with a track record of successful applications and a passion for responsible development.
Final Tips: How to Ace Your Planning Consultant Interview at Strutt & Parker
Know the company: Review Strutt & Parker’s current planning projects and understand their integrated approach with BNP Paribas Real Estate.
Tailor your experience: Link your background to their sectors—whether rural estates, strategic land, or town center regeneration.
Communicate clearly: Planning involves translating complex regulations into practical advice. Be concise and articulate.
Show commercial awareness: Employers love candidates who understand both policy and profit.
Ask smart questions: Inquire about recent planning challenges or how the team integrates with wider property services.
Remember: Planning is as much about people as it is about policy. Your ability to build trust with clients, communities, and authorities will set you apart. Be confident, be curious, and show your genuine interest in creating great places through intelligent planning.
Good luck—you’ve got this!
