Senior Planner

Penguin Recruitment Ltd; Bury St Edmunds; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-respected regional housebuilder is seeking a Planner or Senior Planner to join their Land and Planning team in Bury St Edmunds. This role plays a key part in reviewing land opportunities and preparing planning applications. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Town Planning, at least five years of experience, and excellent communication skills. The role offers benefits including a competitive salary, car allowance, and flexible working arrangements with one day from home.

Benefits

Competitive salary (DOE)

Car allowance

Private medical insurance

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working (1 day from home)

Pension scheme

Cycle-to-work and gym membership schemes

Qualifications

• Eligibility for RTPI membership preferred.
• Ideally five years’ experience in planning from consultancy, development, or local authority.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Full UK driving license required for site visits.

Responsibilities

• Support the Planning Manager in land opportunities.
• Prepare and submit planning applications.
• Coordinate external consultants.
• Attend meetings with authorities and stakeholders.
• Assist in Section 106 negotiations.

Skills

Understanding of planning policy

Project management

Excellent communication

Organisational skills

Education

Degree in Town Planning or related discipline

Job description

Job Title: Planner / Senior Planner – Residential Developer (East Anglia)
Location: Bury St Edmunds

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a highly respected regional housebuilder in their search for a Planner or Senior Planner to join their expanding Land and Planning team.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in a growing business renowned for creating high-quality homes and sustainable communities across East Anglia. The successful candidate will be joining a supportive and ambitious team where professional development and career progression are actively encouraged.

The Role

You’ll support the Planning Manager in delivering both immediate and strategic land opportunities across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire. The position will involve:

• Reviewing new land acquisition opportunities.
• Preparing and submitting planning applications and other consents under the Town and Country Planning Act.
• Coordinating external consultants (heritage, ecology, landscape, design).
• Attending meetings with local authorities and community stakeholders.
• Assisting in Section 106 negotiations and preparing Community Infrastructure Levy documentation.
• Staying up to date with planning policy changes relevant to residential-led development.

Candidate Requirements

• Degree in Town Planning or a related discipline, with eligibility for RTPI membership preferred.
• Ideally five years’ experience in planning—whether from consultancy, development, or local authority background.
• Strong understanding of planning policy, good placemaking principles, and the residential development process.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, work collaboratively, and meet key deadlines.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Full UK driving licence (site visits required).

Benefits

• Competitive salary (DOE)
• Car allowance
• Private medical insurance
• Generous holiday entitlement with holiday purchase scheme
• Flexible working (1 day from home)
• Pension scheme
• Cycle-to-work and gym membership schemes

If you’re a motivated Planner or Senior Planner seeking to make an impact in a high-quality, design-led development business, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information or to apply, contact Josh Jones at Penguin Recruitment on 01792 365 100 or email [e-mail]