Town Planner

Penguin Recruitment; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary dependent on experience

25 days' annual leave + 3

Life assurance

Private medical cover

Travel insurance

Pension scheme

Excellent long-term career progression

Job summary

Penguin Recruitment is seeking an experienced Town Planner to join their Cambridge team. You will handle a broad range of planning projects, delivering high-quality advice to clients, authorities and stakeholders.

The role emphasizes collaboration, professional development and long-term career progression. The successful candidate will be MRTPI qualified (or progressing towards chartership) with experience in planning consultancy or local authorities, strong UK planning knowledge, and excellent

Qualifications

• MRTPI qualification or working towards chartership with significant relevant experience.
• Experience in planning consultancy, local authority or similar planning environment.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system, policy and development management.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Commercial awareness and confidence dealing directly with clients.
• Good working knowledge of planning research tools (e.g., mapping, GIS).
• Hold a full UK driving licence and willingness to travel when required.

Responsibilities

• Preparing planning appraisals for land, buildings and development proposals.
• Undertaking planning policy research, site assessments and analysis.
• Preparing and submitting pre-application enquiries, planning applications and appeals.
• Drafting planning statements and other supporting documentation.
• Contributing to Design and Access Statements, Sustainability Statements and associated reports.
• Managing a varied portfolio of projects and ensuring work is delivered within agreed timescales.
• Liaising and negotiating with local planning authorities, consultees and other stakeholders.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and industry contacts.
• Attending and presenting at client meetings, public consultations, Parish Council meetings and Planning Committees where required.
• Developing practical and commercially focused planning strategies.
• Preparing high-quality reports and providing clear planning recommendations.
• Keeping up to date with planning legislation, policy, guidance and wider market trends.

Skills

MRTPI qualification

Client management

Communication

Organisation

Presentations

Commercial awareness

Travel willingness

Education

MRPI/chartered track (or progress)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Title: Town Planner

Location: Cambridge

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a leading planning consultancy with the appointment of an experienced Town Planner to join their growing team in Cambridge.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated planning professional to work on a varied portfolio of projects, providing planning advice to clients across a range of development proposals. You will work within a collaborative and supportive team, with excellent opportunities for continued professional development and long-term career progression.

The Role

As a Town Planner, you will be involved in a broad range of planning projects, working closely with clients, local authorities, consultants and other stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes.

• Preparing planning appraisals for land, buildings and development proposals.
• Undertaking planning policy research, site assessments and analysis.
• Preparing and submitting pre-application enquiries, planning applications and appeals.
• Drafting planning statements and other supporting documentation.
• Contributing to Design and Access Statements, Sustainability Statements and associated reports.
• Managing a varied portfolio of projects and ensuring work is delivered within agreed timescales.
• Liaising and negotiating with local planning authorities, consultees and other stakeholders.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and industry contacts.
• Attending and presenting at client meetings, public consultations, Parish Council meetings and Planning Committees where required.
• Developing practical and commercially focused planning strategies.
• Preparing high-quality reports and providing clear planning recommendations.
• Keeping up to date with planning legislation, policy, guidance and wider market trends.

About You

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• MRTPI qualification or be working towards chartership with significant relevant experience.
• Previous experience within a planning consultancy, local authority or similar planning environment.
• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system, planning policy and development management.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Commercial awareness and confidence dealing directly with clients.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and planning research tools.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel when required.

Candidates with transferable skills and relevant experience are encouraged to apply. The client is open to considering individuals who may not meet every requirement but can demonstrate strong potential and a genuine interest in developing their planning career.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• 25 days' annual leave, increasing to 28 days after three years.
• Life assurance of four times basic salary.
• Private medical cover and health cash plan following probation.
• Travel insurance following probation.
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.
• Holiday buy-back scheme.
• Long service awards.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• Smart working policy to support a healthy work/life balance.
• Full-time position of 37.5 hours per week.
• Part-time working arrangements considered.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• Excellent long-term career progression opportunities.