Senior Town Planner in Walton-On-Thames, Surrey

Location: Walton on Thames

Penguin Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a fast-growing property development and education business in the search for a Senior Town Planner to join their expanding team. This developer-led organisation works closely with aspiring and active developers across the UK, supporting the delivery of real-world residential and mixed-use schemes. Alongside a successful education platform, the business operates a growing in-house development and joint venture division, delivering projects ranging from single-unit developments to large-scale 100+ unit schemes, including specialist sectors such as student accommodation and supported living.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced planner to take ownership of a varied pipeline of projects and play a key role in securing successful planning outcomes across both joint venture and in-house development sites.

The Role

Working closely with the senior leadership team, you will lead planning strategies, coordinate planning applications, and engage with local authorities and stakeholders across a broad range of development projects. This is a hands-on role offering exposure to the full development lifecycle, where you will assess site feasibility, shape planning strategies, and guide projects through the planning process from inception to consent.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead planning strategy and submissions across a diverse portfolio of development sites.
• Carry out site appraisals, feasibility studies, and planning risk assessments.
• Provide clear, practical planning advice to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Prepare and manage planning applications, planning statements, and appeal strategies where required.
• Liaise with local authorities, statutory consultees, and key stakeholders to secure positive planning outcomes.
• Support and mentor junior team members involved in sourcing and assessing development opportunities.
• Assist with the progression of in-house development schemes through the planning process.
• Keep clients and internal teams informed on planning progress, risks, and opportunities.
• Maintain strong knowledge of UK planning legislation, policy, and local plan frameworks.
• Contribute to internal planning systems, processes, and best practice guidance.

Requirements

• RTPI-accredited degree in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Strong consultancy or client-side planning experience, ideally within residential or mixed-use development.
• Proven experience managing planning applications on complex or constrained sites.
• Excellent understanding of UK planning legislation and policy frameworks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to simplify complex planning matters.
• Proactive, commercially aware, and highly organised approach.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior team members.
• Knowledge of planning software, GIS, mapping tools, or Adobe InDesign would be advantageous.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to join a dynamic, developer-led business that is actively shaping the next generation of property professionals across the UK. You’ll work on a wide variety of live development projects, benefit from strong career progression opportunities, and be part of a collaborative and ambitious team environment. The role also offers a competitive salary and a performance-related bonus structure linked to successful planning approvals.

Interested? The hiring manager is looking to meet with suitable candidates ASAP, so if you meet the above criteria, please explore further opportunities.