Senior Town Planner

Job Description – Senior Town Planner

Leeds

Competitive salary (DOE)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Town Planner to join our growing planning team in Leeds. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious planning professional to lead a diverse portfolio of projects, provide expert planning advice, and support clients through all stages of the development process.

The successful candidate will work across a broad range of sectors, including residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, renewable energy, and strategic land, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver successful planning outcomes across Yorkshire and the wider North of England.

Key Responsibilities

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• Manage a varied portfolio of planning projects from inception through to completion.
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• Prepare, coordinate, and submit planning applications, appeals, and supporting documentation.
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• Undertake planning appraisals and provide strategic planning advice to clients.
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• Liaise with local planning authorities, statutory consultees, stakeholders, and community groups.
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• Lead client meetings and maintain strong client relationships.
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• Prepare planning statements, policy reviews, site assessments, and representations to local plans.
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• Monitor changes in planning legislation and policy, ensuring advice remains current and commercially relevant.
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• Mentor and support junior planners, assisting with their professional development.
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• Contribute to business development activities, including preparing fee proposals and identifying new opportunities.
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• Represent clients at planning committees, hearings, public consultations, and inquiries where appropriate.
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• Work collaboratively with architects, engineers, environmental consultants, and other specialists to achieve project objectives.
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Skills and Experience

Essential

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• Degree in Town Planning or a related discipline.
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• Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), or working towards chartership with significant post-qualification experience.
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• Proven experience within a planning consultancy, local authority, or property development environment.
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• Strong knowledge of the UK planning system, planning policy, and development management.
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• Experience managing planning applications and appeals.
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• Excellent report writing and communication skills.
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• Strong project management and organisational abilities.
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• Commercial awareness and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
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• Full UK driving licence.
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Desirable

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• Experience across multiple development sectors.
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• Knowledge of planning in Yorkshire and the North of England.
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• Public inquiry or hearing experience.
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• Existing client relationships and business development experience.
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Personal Attributes

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• Proactive and solutions-focused.
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• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
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• Confident communicator with strong presentation abilities.
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• Ability to build lasting client relationships.
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• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
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• Collaborative team player with leadership potential.
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• High level of professionalism and attention to detail.
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Benefits

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• Competitive salary.
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• Annual performance bonus.
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• Hybrid and flexible working.
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• Pension scheme.
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• Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays.
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• Professional membership fees paid.
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• Continued professional development and training.
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• Career progression opportunities.
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• Employee Assistance Programme.
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