Senior Planner in Bristol)

Penguin Recruitment; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading planning consultancy in Bristol is seeking a Senior Town Planner to manage and lead various planning projects. The successful candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and engage with clients and stakeholders to deliver high-quality plans. Required qualifications include MRTPI status and experience in planning consultancy or local authority. The role offers a supportive environment focused on professional development and high-profile projects.

Benefits

Competitive salary tailored to experience

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements

Excellent professional development support

Opportunities to work on high-profile projects

Inclusive, supportive team culture

Strong progression pathway

Qualifications

• Significant experience in planning consultancy, client-side, or local authority.
• Experience with medium to large-scale development projects.
• Proven ability to engage with clients and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a range of planning projects.
• Prepare, coordinate and submit planning applications.
• Undertake site appraisals, feasibilities and policy reviews.
• Prepare planning statements, proofs of evidence and supporting documents.
• Engage with clients, local authorities and stakeholders.
• Support junior team members and contribute to studio growth.
• Help shape strategy and best practice within the planning team.

Skills

Strong report writing

Project management

Communication skills

Client interaction

Collaborative mindset

Education

MRTPI status

Job description

Senior Town Planner

Location: Bristol

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be working with LDA Design, a leading independent consultancy known for delivering transformative planning, landscape and urban design projects across the UK. Their Bristol studio is growing, and they're now seeking a Senior Town Planner to join their established planning team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work within a creative, collaborative environment where planners work closely with designers, environmental specialists and major clients to help shape sustainable and meaningful places.

Benefits

• Competitive salary tailored to experience
• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements
• Excellent professional development support, including RTPI CPD
• Opportunities to work on nationally significant, high‑profile projects
• Inclusive, supportive team culture
• Strong progression pathway within an award‑winning consultancy

The Role

As a Senior Town Planner, you'll play a key role in delivering a variety of complex and exciting projects across sectors such as regeneration, mixed‑use development, residential, energy and infrastructure. You will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, build strong client relationships, and help steer projects from early concept stages through to delivery.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing a range of planning projects
• Preparing, coordinating and submitting planning applications
• Undertaking site appraisals, feasibilities and policy reviews
• Preparing planning statements, proofs of evidence and supporting documents
• Engaging with clients, local authorities and stakeholders
• Supporting junior team members and contributing to the growth of the studio
• Helping shape strategy and best practice within the planning team

About You

We're looking for a planning professional who brings:

• MRTPI status (or very close to it)
• Relevant experience in planning consultancy, client‑side or local authority
• Strong report writing, project management and communication skills
• Experience working on medium to large‑scale development projects
• Ability to work confidently with clients and stakeholders
• A proactive, collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for high‑quality placemaking

This is an excellent opportunity to join a respected planning and design consultancy where your ideas, ambitions and growth will be fully supported.

If you're interested in this Senior Town Planner role, please contact Joel Bland at Penguin Recruitment.