Principal/Associate Town Planner

Overview

As a Senior/Principal Planner at WSP Leeds Planning Consultancy, you drive planning strategies for a mix of private and public sector clients. You will lead planning projects within multidisciplinary teams, translating policy into actionable proposals. Your work shapes developments from feasibility to appeal, delivering high-quality planning documentation and negotiations. This role offers exposure to landmark schemes and cross-functional collaboration, backed by a supportive, inclusive culture. You’ll have a chance to mentor colleagues and contribute to a growing planning team, with opportunities for Chartership and professional development.

Pay / Benefits

• work-life balance
• hybrid working
• Thrive wellbeing programme
• Virtual GP service
• Gymflex discount of up to 40%
• flexible working arrangements

Responsibilities

• Devising planning strategies and assessing site history against development plans and national policy
• Preparing briefing notes on likelihood of planning permission across uses
• Drafting planning statements to persuasively support proposals
• Leading planning aspects in multidisciplinary project teams
• Attending site visits, design team and client meetings
• Managing project delivery and budgetary control
• Collaborating with colleagues across WSP (e.g., Transport, Sustainability) to integrate advisory input
• Monitoring planning applications and responding to consultation feedback

Key requirements

• Degree level qualification in town planning
• Chartered status (MRTPI / NIPA)
• Solid knowledge of the UK planning system gained in local authority or private sector
• Strong technical skills and a commercial approach to planning consultancy
• Excellent organisational and communication abilities

• team player with a can-do attitude
• strong communication
• collaborative and proactive
• planning appraisals
• planning statements drafting
• negotiations with planning authorities and stakeholders

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