Senior Planner / Principal Planner

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

The Senior / Principal Planner will work across a diverse portfolio of countryside and rural planning projects, including:

• 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

The Senior / Principal Planner will take ownership of projects from initial enquiry through to determination, with responsibilities including:

• 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

This role is suited to a Senior / Principal Planner who demonstrates:

• 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. If you meet the criteria above, please contact Josh Jones at Penguin Recruitment on (phone number removed) or email (url removed).