Senior Planner / Principal Planner in Knutsford)

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

Job summary

A specialist countryside planning consultancy is looking for a Senior / Principal Planner located in Knutsford, UK. The role involves leading planning projects, developing strategies, and managing client discussions. Candidates should have strong judgment, communication skills, and experience in planning, with qualifications like MRTPI or RICS considered beneficial. The position offers a competitive salary between £50,000 and £60,000, alongside a hybrid working model and opportunities for long-term progression.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

High levels of autonomy

Long-term progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in rural planning and strategic decision-making.
• Ability to communicate complex planning issues clearly.
• Competence in leading planning projects effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning projects from start to finish.
• Develop clear and effective planning strategies.
• Prepare high-quality planning applications and documents.
• Manage discussions with planning officers and external consultants.

Skills

Strong professional judgement

Clear communication skills

Client-focused thinking

Decision-making ability

Practical approach to planning

Education

MRTPI, RICS or equivalent experience

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

• 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

• 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

• 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.