McCarthy Recruitment
Principal Planner

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Senior / Principal Planning Consultant
Location: Warrington
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 + Bonus
Working Pattern: Office Based
Ready to take the next step in your planning career?
Are you an experienced Senior or Principal Planner looking for the opportunity to influence projects, build strong stakeholder relationships and develop into a leadership role?
If you're passionate about planning and enjoy working closely with Local Authorities, clients and multidisciplinary teams to deliver successful outcomes, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.
Our Client
Our client is a growing environmental consultancy delivering planning and environmental solutions across the minerals, waste and land development sectors.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a business where your ideas will be valued, your relationships will make a difference, and you'll have the chance to help shape the future of the planning function.
What's on Offer?
- £50,000 - £55,000 + Bonus
- Work on diverse minerals, waste, environmental and land development projects.
- Opportunity to mentor and support junior planners.
- Genuine progression into a Planning Manager position.
- Join a collaborative, ambitious and supportive team.
- Play a key role in the continued growth of the business.
The Role
As a Senior / Principal Planning Consultant, you'll take ownership of planning projects from feasibility through to determination, working closely with Local Authorities, clients and technical specialists to deliver successful planning outcomes.
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You'll also support the development of junior planners, helping to build capability within the team while continuing to develop your own leadership skills.
Your Responsibilities
- Lead planning applications across minerals, waste, environmental and land development projects.
- Develop planning strategies and provide technical planning advice.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Local Authorities, statutory consultees and clients.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary consultants, including ecology, highways, landscape and environmental specialists.
- Prepare and review planning applications, Planning Statements and supporting documentation.
- Mentor and support junior members of the planning team.
- Contribute to business development and identify opportunities to strengthen client relationships.
About You
You'll already be an experienced planner who enjoys taking ownership of projects and building positive relationships with clients and stakeholders.
You're now looking for an opportunity where you can broaden your experience, influence the direction of projects and develop into a leadership position.
We're Looking For
- Experience managing planning applications from inception through to determination.
- Background within minerals, waste, environmental, infrastructure or major development planning.
- Strong understanding of the UK planning system.
- Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
- Confident communicator with the ability to influence and negotiate.
- Experience mentoring or supporting junior planners would be advantageous.
- Commercial awareness and a proactive approach to problem solving.


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Requirements
- RTPI qualified (or working towards Chartered status).
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Why Join?
This is more than just another planning role.
It's an opportunity to work on technically interesting projects, build lasting relationships with clients and planning authorities, and take the next step towards leadership within a growing consultancy.
This role is handled by McCarthy Recruitment, an award-winning multi-sector recruiter. We believe that you matter and care about unlocking your full potential. Work with us to find your perfect role and start your journey today.
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The Legal Bit:
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. By applying for this role, you are explicitly consenting for McCarthy Recruitment to hold and process your data in compliance with GDPR.
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