Senior Planner / Principal Planner

Penguin Recruitment; England; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist countryside planning consultancy in Cheshire is seeking a Senior / Principal Planner to manage diverse projects, including rural diversification and planning appeals. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong professional judgement and communication skills with a desire for long-term progression. This role offers a competitive salary in a hybrid working environment, focusing on high-quality planning outcomes and client satisfaction.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Hybrid working and flexibility

Long-term progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong professional judgement and decision-making ability.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Emotional intelligence and client-focused thinking.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning projects end-to-end.
• Develop clear, robust planning strategies.
• Prepare high-quality planning applications.

Skills

Strong professional judgement

Clear written and verbal communication

Client-focused thinking

Decision-making ability

Emotional intelligence

Education

MRTPI or RICS qualification

Job description

Senior / Principal Planner
Location: Knutsford
Working Pattern: Hybrid
Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 plus benefits

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a specialist countryside planning consultancy in Cheshire with the appointment of a Senior / Principal Planner. This consultancy is recognised for delivering high-quality, well-reasoned planning advice underpinned by strong practical understanding and professional judgement.

The Opportunity

The Senior / Principal Planner will work across a diverse portfolio of countryside and rural planning projects, including:

• Rural diversification and farm business developments
• Estate planning and long-term land strategies
• Planning appeals, certificates and enforcement matters
• Complex countryside planning challenges
• Residential developments of up to 100 dwellings
• Commercial greenfield developments of up to 25 acres

The consultancy places clear emphasis on quality over volume, focusing on meaningful outcomes that support clients, rural businesses and communities.

The Role

The Senior / Principal Planner will take ownership of projects from initial enquiry through to determination, with responsibilities including:

• Leading planning projects end-to-end
• Developing clear, robust planning strategies
• Explaining complex planning issues in a practical and accessible way
• Preparing high-quality planning applications and supporting documents
• Managing discussions with planning officers and external consultants
• Working directly with clients on matters of personal and commercial importance
• Contributing to a collaborative team structure that supports quality and wellbeing

About You

This role is suited to a Senior / Principal Planner who demonstrates:

• Strong professional judgement and decision-making ability
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Emotional intelligence and client-focused thinking
• Confidence in taking responsibility for work
• A practical, grounded approach to planning

A purely rural background is not essential. MRTPI, RICS or equivalent experience is desirable but not mandatory where capability and professional maturity can be demonstrated.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid working and flexibility
• High levels of autonomy with structured support
• A varied and engaging workload
• Long-term progression opportunities for the right Senior / Principal Planner

Interested?

The hiring manager is looking to meet with suitable candidates as soon as possible. If you meet the criteria above, please contact Josh Jones at Penguin Recruitment on (phone number removed) or email (url removed).