Principal Town Planner

Job description

Principal Town Planner

Location: Bristol, UK | Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £48,000 - £58,000

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Principal Town Planner to join our planning team based in Bristol. This is a senior role suited to a chartered planning professional who can lead complex projects, mentor junior colleagues, and act as a key client-facing consultant across a varied portfolio of development work spanning multiple sectors — including residential, commercial, mixed-use, education, healthcare, and energy/infrastructure throughout the Southwest and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and project-manage a range of planning applications across diverse sectors, from small-scale developments to major mixed-use schemes, from inception through to determination
• Provide strategic planning advice to clients, including site appraisals, planning strategy, and development feasibility
• Prepare and coordinate planning application submissions, including writing planning statements, design and access statements, and supporting technical documents
• Manage relationships with local planning authorities, statutory consultees, and other stakeholders
• Represent clients at pre-application meetings, planning committees, and public inquiries
• Provide expert witness support and input for appeals (written representations, hearings, and inquiries)
• Line-manage, mentor, and support the professional development of junior and graduate planners
• Contribute to business development, including proposal writing, client pitches, and identifying new opportunities across sectors
• Support internal quality assurance processes, ensuring outputs are technically robust and commercially sound

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Town Planning or a related discipline (RTPI-accredited)
• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)
• Substantial post-qualification experience (typically 6+ years) in a planning consultancy, local authority, or similar environment
• Strong track record of managing complex planning applications and appeals across a range of sectors
• Excellent working knowledge of the English planning system, national policy (NPPF), and local development plans
• Proven ability to manage client relationships and lead project teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presenting at committee
• Full UK driving licence

What We Offer

• Salary of £48,000 - £58,000, dependent on experience
• Hybrid/flexible working arrangements
• Professional subscriptions and CPD support (RTPI membership, training budget)
• Clear progression pathway towards Associate/Director level
• Central Bristol office location with good transport links
• Pension scheme, private healthcare, and other standard benefits

For more information please don't hesitate to contact harrison.reed@vividresourcing.com, alternatively if the role isn't for you please feel free to share it with your wider network!

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Greater Bristol Area

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

08-09-2026

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English