Principal Town Planner

Hunter Dunning Limited; Leeds; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading planning consultancy in Leeds is seeking a Senior/Principal Planner to manage various planning projects and mentor junior colleagues. The ideal candidate will have 4-5+ years of planning experience, strong knowledge of the Local Plan process, and a degree in Urban Planning. The salary ranges from £45,000 to £55,000, alongside 28 days of holiday and additional benefits.

Benefits

28 days holiday

Discretionary bonus

Professional accreditation support

Qualifications

• 4-5+ years of planning experience, ideally within a consultancy or local authority.
• MRTPI (or working towards Chartered status).
• Strong knowledge of the Local Plan process and policy-led planning system.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage planning projects, coordinating team members and technical inputs.
• Analyse data to understand planning positions.
• Prepare fee proposals, tenders, and contribute to business development.

Skills

Planning experience

Knowledge of Local Plan process

Ability to manage workloads

Education

Degree in Urban Planning

Job description

Senior/Principal Planner Job in Leeds, Yorkshire

New opening for a Senior/Principal Planner role with an Architectural and Planning Consultancy based in Leeds, Yorkshire. If you're looking for a position with a close-knit collaborative team that work on a varied portfolio of work and will support with your career advancement, then this could be the opportunity for you!

As an experienced Planner, you'll join a team of like-minded professionals offering services across architectural and planning matters. The role benefits from a diverse workload across various sectors, including industrial, logistics, commercial, residential, greenbelt sites, and conversion projects. You'll enjoy a balance of autonomy while receiving support from the wider team, with opportunities for growth and development.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead and manage planning projects, coordinating team members and technical inputs.
• Analyse data to understand planning positions, including housing and employment land supply and need.
• Prepare fee proposals, tenders, and contribute to business development.
• Promote sites through the Local Plan process, engaging with stakeholders and preparing professional documents such as Local Plan representations, Hearing Statements, and Advocacy Reports.
• Undertake research and planning appraisals to assess site potential.

Required Skills & Experience

• 4-5+ years of planning experience, ideally within a consultancy or local authority.
• MRTPI (or working towards Chartered status).
• Degree in Urban Planning, Town Planning, Built Environment, or a related subject.
• Strong knowledge of the Local Plan process and policy‑led planning system.
• Proven ability to manage workloads, mentor junior colleagues, and deliver high‑quality work to deadlines.

What you get back

• Salary of £45,000 - £55,000 DOE
• 28 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Discretionary bonus and tax‑free employee‑ownership bonus
• Professional accreditation support

Apply

If you meet the criteria above, send us your CV and portfolio. We receive a large number of applications so if you do not hear back within 7 days consider your application unsuccessful this time. We will keep a copy of your details on file for future vacancies.

In accordance with GDPR, by applying for this position you give us your consent to process your data in‑line with our Privacy and Data Protection Policies which can be read on the privacy policy page on our website.

Referral

Did you know we run a referral scheme? We pay a £1,000 referral bonus if you introduce us to anyone who we then successfully place in a new job role. Just send us their information and we'll do the rest. Terms: A candidate is deemed to have been successfully placed once they have started a new job as a result of an introduction made by Hunter Dunning and when they've successfully completed the probation period. See website for full terms & conditions.