Principal Town Planner

Tate is proud to be supporting Barker Parry with their expansion to help meet nationwide demand on Town Planning projects, whilst furthering career progression for accomplished Town Planners.
Principal Planner - Progression Opportunity to Associate Planner
Tate is delighted to be partnering with Barker Parry Town Planning, a respected consultancy with over 30 years of experience delivering clear, honest, and practical planning advice. With a strong presence across the Home Counties and Greater London, Barker Parry continues to grow in response to increasing demand for strategic planning expertise.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Town Planner to join a collaborative and forward-thinking team. The Principal Planner role offers exposure to a wide variety of projects and a clear pathway to Associate Planner for the right candidate.
About the opportunity
The successful candidate will be capable of managing planning projects from inception to completion. Responsibilities include:
- Preparing and submitting planning applications for developments from minor to major scale
- Advising on planning conditions, appeals, and enforcement matters
- Promoting sites through Local Plans and attending examinations
- Providing expert planning advice and representing clients at public forums
- Supporting business development through networking and contributing to the company''s online presence
We''re seeking a Town Planner who brings:
- A minimum of 3 years'' experience in either the public or private sector Planning
- Strong attention to detail and excellent written communication skills
- Confidence in managing fee budgets and prioritising workload
- A collaborative mindset and high personal integrity
- A full, clean driving licence (or ability to travel independently)
- Progress toward RTPI Chartered Membership
And desirable attributes include
- Access to a car for site visits
- Experience with 5-year land supply assessments
- Proficiency in Excel
- RTPI Chartered Membership
Benefits of working at Barker Parry include:
- Competitive salary - please discuss privately with us
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service (up to 30 days)
- Additional leave between Christmas and New Year
- Hybrid working - please note office days will be in Hitchin SG5
- Performance-based bonus scheme
- Employer pension contribution (3%)
- RTPI subscription and CPD support (up to 2 days annually)
- Free on-site parking
- Dog-friendly, modern open-plan office with kitchen and breakout spaces
- Supportive and friendly working environment in a town centre location
- Clear career progression
Barker Parry is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace. Reasonable adjustments can be made throughout the recruitment process to ensure accessibility for all applicants.
If the prospect of working for one of the county''s fastest growing Town Planning Consultancies appeals, we''d love to talk to you. For a confidential chat please contact Emma Tarbox at Tate, or apply using your CV for Emma to reach you.
Please be aware this advert will remain open until the vacancy has been filled. Interviews will take place throughout this period, therefore we encourage you to apply early to avoid disappointment.
Tate is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.
Tate is committed to promoting equal opportunities. To ensure that every candidate has the best experience with us, we encourage you to let us know if there are any adjustments we can make during the application or interview process. Your comfort and accessibility are our priority, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Additionally, we value and respect your individuality, and we invite you to share your preferred pronouns in your application.