Principal Town Planner

  • Penguin Recruitment
  • Shrewsbury, Shropshire
  • May 13, 2026
Full time Consultant

Job Description

Principal Town Planner

Location: Shrewsbury
Salary: Competitive + Benefits + Hybrid Working

A specialist property and planning consultancy with a strong presence across the Midlands is looking to appoint a Principal Town Planner to join its established team in Shrewsbury. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced MRTPI planner seeking greater autonomy, high-quality project exposure, and a clear progression pathway within a collaborative multidisciplinary environment.

The business has an excellent reputation across the residential, rural, commercial, energy, and strategic land sectors, with planners working closely alongside architects, surveyors, engineers, and heritage specialists on a diverse range of projects.

As a Principal Town Planner, you will play a key role in delivering complex planning projects while helping to shape the future growth of the planning team.

You'll work on a varied portfolio including:

  • Residential and mixed-use developments
  • Strategic land promotion
  • Rural diversification schemes
  • Renewable energy projects
  • Commercial and employment developments
  • Heritage and regeneration projects

The role offers the chance to lead projects from inception through to determination and appeal, while managing client relationships and mentoring junior planners.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage a varied caseload of planning applications and appeals
  • Provide strategic planning advice to a broad client base
  • Prepare Planning Statements, site appraisals, and planning strategies
  • Manage stakeholder and local authority relationships
  • Support business development activities and client growth
  • Mentor and support junior members of the planning team
  • Collaborate with internal multidisciplinary teams on large-scale projects

About You

The successful candidate is likely to have:

  • MRTPI chartered status
  • Significant post-qualification experience within consultancy or private practice
  • Strong knowledge of the UK planning system and policy framework
  • Experience managing complex planning applications and appeals
  • Excellent communication and report-writing skills
  • Commercial awareness and strong client-facing ability
  • A proactive and collaborative approach

This opportunity would suit either an established Principal Planner or a Senior Planner ready to step into a more senior leadership role.

What's on Offer

  • Competitive salary and benefits package
  • Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
  • Clear progression opportunities
  • Exposure to high-profile and diverse projects
  • Supportive and collaborative team culture
  • Opportunity to work within an established multidisciplinary consultancy environment

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please get in touch.