We’re looking for an Assistant Planning Adviser in the South West Region. You’ll be providing advice and support to diverse projects and properties in some of the UK’s best‑loved places, increasing your knowledge and experience in planning policy and development. With the National Trust’s new strategy, People and Nature Thriving, launched in 2025 you will be starting at a time of implementation.
Contractual place of work: Killerton (Devon), Tisbury (Wiltshire) or Leigh Court (Bristol)
The role is offered on a full-time basis. We will also consider applications for part-time (job share). Please indicate in your application if you are applying on the basis of a job share.
Applicants should supply a copy of their CV, as well as a covering letter tailored to the role. We encourage early applications and may review applications as they are received. Applications will continue to be accepted until the stated closing date.
Provisional interview date: Monday 17th August at Killerton.
What it’s like to work here
You’ll be part of the Trust’s Specialist Delivery Team: a flexible resource of specialist skills and expertise. As one of a multidisciplinary team of experts, including curators, fundraisers, building surveyors and project managers, you’ll be working with others to help make things happen.
As this role covers the South West region, your contractual place of work will be the nearest National Trust regional office to your home: Killerton, Tisbury or Bristol. Some travel will be required for site visits and meetings within the region, often to remote rural places, varying from large mansion properties and parklands to the countryside and coast.
Our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits and meetings at other National Trust places. We’ll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll provide professional planning advice and support, working with colleagues in the Specialist Delivery Team and at National Trust places throughout the region.
You’ll also work with planners across the Trust, with opportunities for training, professional development and sharing knowledge.
You’ll be working on all kinds of challenges from external plans and proposals to the sensitive development of the Trust’s historic buildings to help sustain their future, tackle climate change and make them more accessible for everyone.
You’ll have the chance to get involved with a wide range of planning issues, with a particular focus on conservation. Mentored by a senior planning adviser, you’ll be helping many different Trust places with their planning matters and advising on development proposals. You’ll also monitor and respond to external planning applications, and consultations on local and neighbourhood plans. You’ll engage with officers at local planning authorities and with statutory consultees including Historic England and Natural England.
Who we’re looking for
- Knowledgeable about the legislative background to planning and local government
- Experienced in analysing, resolving and preparing positions and advice on planning issues
- A qualified planner with a Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)-accredited degree, or working towards chartered RTPI membership through another recognised route
- An effective communicator, able to build good working relationships, good at listening, building trust and giving a high-quality service to colleagues
- Someone with an eye for detail, good organisational skills and able to work at pace and keep to time
- A champion of inclusion, who helps support everyone to feel welcome.
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
- Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Season ticket loan
- EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
- Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
National Trust place
Killerton – RO, Killerton, Exeter, EX5 3LE
Equal Opportunities Statement
The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.
Safeguarding Statement
The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.
Closing Date: 09 August 2026
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