Senior to Principal Town Planner - Strategic Land & Development

Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Career progression

Flexible hours

Mentoring and learning opportunities

Job summary

Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd is seeking a Senior to Principal Town Planner to join its Strategic Development team. You will shape development strategies, promote land, and oversee planning delivery across the UK, with emphasis on long-term land promotion.

The role suits a motivated planner comfortable with complex schemes, providing expert advice to landowners and developers, and collaborating with project teams from assessment to determination and appeal.

Qualifications

• RTPI accredited planning qualification or equivalent.
• Chartered status or pursuing chartership considered.
• Experience within consultancy, development, or related planning environments.
• Solid understanding of the UK planning system and policy context.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proactive, organised and solutions-focused approach.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Assist progression of strategic land opportunities through the planning system.
• Prepare planning applications, appeal submissions and supporting docs.
• Conduct planning policy analysis, research and site feasibility reviews.
• Produce clear planning statements and technical reports.
• Coordinate with technical consultants and engage with local planning authorities.
• Support clients with clear, practical planning advice.
• Manage tasks across multiple projects and timelines.
• Contribute to team collaboration and service development.

Skills

RTPI accredited

Chartered status

Consultancy experience

UK planning system knowledge

Project management

Client communication

Proactive problem solving

Education

RTPI accredited planning qualification

Job description

A well-established and expanding planning consultancy is seeking a Senior to Principal Town Planner to join its Strategic Development team. This role offers the opportunity to work on a broad portfolio of planning projects across the UK, with a particular focus on long-term land promotion, development strategy and planning delivery.

The position is ideal for a motivated planning professional who enjoys working on complex, evolving schemes and wants to contribute to shaping future development at both local and national levels.

You will play an active role in supporting landowners, developers and project teams through the planning process, from early-stage assessment through to determination and appeal. Working within a collaborative professional environment, you will contribute to projects ranging from small-scale residential schemes to large strategic sites and employment land.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with the progression of strategic land opportunities through the planning system.
• Preparing planning applications, appeal submissions and supporting documentation.
• Undertaking planning policy analysis, research and site feasibility reviews.
• Producing clear, well-reasoned planning statements and technical reports.
• Coordinating with technical consultants and engaging with local planning authorities.
• Supporting client communications and providing clear, practical planning advice.
• Managing tasks across multiple projects while meeting agreed timescales.
• Contributing to team collaboration and ongoing service development.

This role would suit a planning professional with experience in development management, site promotion or strategic planning. You will be confident working independently while contributing positively to team-based project delivery.

You are likely to demonstrate:

• A relevant planning qualification (RTPI accredited or equivalent).
• Progress toward or achievement of chartered status.
• Experience gained within consultancy, development or a related planning environment.
• A strong understanding of the UK planning system and policy context.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work to deadlines.
• A proactive, organised and solutions-focused approach.
• A willingness to continue developing technical knowledge and professional skills.

What's Offered

• A role within a growing and professional planning practice.
• Involvement in a varied and challenging range of planning projects.
• A supportive working culture with access to mentoring and learning opportunities.
• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Full-time or part-time working options available.
• Clear opportunities for progression and career development.