Senior Town Planner

Penguin Recruitment; Pulborough; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established rural property and planning consultancy is seeking an experienced Senior Town Planner to join their team in Pulborough, West Sussex. The role includes managing planning applications, providing strategic planning advice, and mentoring junior colleagues. Candidates should have an MRTPI qualification and solid experience in the UK planning system. The company offers competitive salary, hybrid working, and real progression opportunities within a professional environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid and flexible working arrangements

Clear progression opportunities

Exposure to high-quality planning work

Friendly professional working culture

Qualifications

• Ability to manage projects and client relationships confidently.
• Solid experience within the UK planning system required.
• Experience in rural planning or agricultural development is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver planning applications and appeals.
• Provide strategic planning advice to private clients and landowners.
• Undertake site appraisals and development feasibility assessments.
• Prepare and coordinate planning statements and supporting documents.
• Liaise with local authorities, consultants, and stakeholders.

Skills

Strong report writing

Communication skills

Project management

Client relationship management

Commercial awareness

Education

MRTPI qualification or working towards chartered status

Job description

enior Town Planner - West Sussex (Hybrid Working Available)

I'm working with a well-established and highly regarded rural property and planning consultancy that is looking to appoint an experienced Senior Town Planner to join its team in Pulborough, West Sussex.

This is an excellent opportunity for a planner who enjoys working on a diverse caseload, has strong technical ability, and values a collaborative, professional environment with real scope for progression.

The Role

As a Senior Town Planner, you will play a key role in delivering planning advice across a broad range of projects, with a particular focus on rural, residential, and mixed‑use development. You will be trusted to manage your own workload while contributing to wider team objectives and mentoring junior colleagues where appropriate.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing and delivering planning applications and appeals
• Providing strategic planning advice to private clients and landowners
• Undertaking site appraisals and development feasibility assessments
• Preparing and coordinating planning statements and supporting documents
• Liaising with local authorities, consultants, and stakeholders
• Supporting junior team members and contributing to business development

About You

My client is keen to speak with planners who can demonstrate:

• MRTPI qualification (or working towards chartered status with significant experience)
• Solid experience within the UK planning system
• Strong report writing and communication skills
• Confidence managing projects and client relationships
• A proactive, commercially aware approach
• Experience in rural planning, agricultural development, or heritage and landscape‑led projects would be advantageous, but is not essential.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Clear progression opportunities within a supportive team
• Exposure to high‑quality and varied planning work
• A friendly, professional working culture in a scenic West Sussex location

If you're a Senior Town Planner considering your next step and would like to explore this opportunity in confidence, I'd be very happy to discuss the role in more detail.