Town Planner

James & Partners; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Life Assurance

Private medical cover

Pension scheme

Annual volunteering day

Career development

Job summary

James & Partners in Cambridge is actively seeking an experienced Town Planner to join our established team. The role involves providing planning advice across residential, commercial, rural and mixed-use developments from initial appraisal through to planning applications and appeals.

The successful candidate will manage own projects, build client relationships and progress within a well‑respected consultancy.

Qualifications

• MRTPI qualification or progress toward Chartered Membership with relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of the UK town planning system and development management process.
• Experience preparing planning applications, appraisals, pre-applications and supporting statements.
• Good understanding of national and local planning policy.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Confidence liaising with clients, planning authorities and stakeholders.
• Commercial awareness and a strong client-service approach.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and planning research tools.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Prepare planning appraisals for land, buildings and development proposals.
• Undertake planning policy research, site assessments and development analysis.
• Prepare and submit pre-application enquiries, planning applications and planning appeals.
• Draft Planning Statements, supporting reports and other planning documentation.
• Contribute to Design & Access Statements, Sustainability Statements and submissions.
• Manage a varied portfolio of planning projects from instruction through to determination.
• Liaise and negotiate with local planning authorities and stakeholders.
• Coordinate with architects, surveyors and engineers.
• Attend client meetings, site visits and public consultations.
• Advise clients on planning strategy, development potential and policy considerations.
• Prepare clear, professional reports and recommendations.
• Ensure projects deliver efficiently within timescales and budgets.

Skills

UK planning knowledge

Client liaison

Report writing

Project management

Education

MRTPI qualification / Chartered Membership progress

Tools

Microsoft Office

Planning research tools

Job description

Town Planner

Location: Cambridge
Salary: Up to £45,000
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Working Pattern: Smart / Flexible Working

The Opportunity

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced and commercially minded Town Planner to join the Cambridge office of my client, a highly regarded and long-established multidisciplinary property consultancy.

The business advises a diverse client base across planning, development, architecture, commercial property, rural property and associated professional services. It is known for providing high-quality, pragmatic and commercially focused advice, supported by an experienced and collaborative professional team.

This role offers the opportunity to work across a varied portfolio of residential, commercial, rural, agricultural and mixed-use development projects, providing planning advice from initial appraisal and feasibility through to planning applications, stakeholder engagement, negotiation and appeals.

The successful individual will join an established Planning team and will be given the opportunity to take responsibility for their own projects, develop strong client relationships and progress their career within a respected consultancy.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare planning appraisals for land, buildings and development proposals.
• Undertake planning policy research, site assessments and development analysis.
• Prepare and submit pre-application enquiries, planning applications and planning appeals.
• Draft Planning Statements, supporting reports and other planning documentation.
• Contribute to Design & Access Statements, Sustainability Statements and associated submissions.
• Manage a varied portfolio of planning projects from instruction through to determination.
• Liaise and negotiate with local planning authorities, statutory consultees and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate with architects, surveyors, engineers and specialist consultants.
• Attend client meetings, site visits, public consultations, Parish Council meetings and Planning Committees where required.
• Advise clients on planning strategy, development potential, policy considerations and planning risk.
• Prepare clear, professional and commercially focused reports and recommendations.
• Ensure projects are delivered efficiently and within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants and professional contacts.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of planning policy, legislation and market developments.

The Candidate

My client is seeking a professional, articulate and commercially aware Planner with experience gained within a planning consultancy, local authority or comparable planning environment.

You will ideally demonstrate:

• MRTPI qualification, or progress towards Chartered Membership with relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of the UK town planning system and development management process.
• Experience preparing planning applications, appraisals, pre-applications and supporting statements.
• Good understanding of national and local planning policy.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Strong report writing and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines.
• Confidence liaising with clients, planning authorities and stakeholders.
• Commercial awareness and a strong client-service approach.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant planning research tools.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel when required.

Candidates with relevant transferable experience who may not meet every listed requirement are also encouraged to apply.

Why Join?

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your career within an established multidisciplinary consultancy offering genuine breadth of work and long‑term progression.

You will benefit from:

• A varied portfolio of planning and development instructions.
• Exposure to residential, commercial, rural and mixed‑use projects.
• Direct client contact and increasing project responsibility.
• Support from experienced planning and property professionals.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• Career progression within a well-established consultancy.
• A collaborative and professional working environment.
• Smart and flexible working arrangements.

Salary & Benefits

The position offers a basic salary of up to £45,000, dependent on experience, together with an excellent benefits package including:

• 25 days' holiday, increasing with service.
• Life Assurance at four times basic salary.
• Private Medical Cover following probation.
• Westfield Health cash plan.
• 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.
• Ongoing professional development and career support.

Working Arrangements

This is a permanent position based from my client's Cambridge office, working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Core hours are 9.00am to 5.30pm. My client operates a Smart Working policy and is open to discussing flexible or part‑time working arrangements.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Planner seeking broader project exposure, greater client responsibility and a clear route for professional development within a highly respected property consultancy.