Average Principal Planner salary in the UK

We are pleased to share a great opportunity for an experienced Senior / Principal Planner to join our high performing Investment, Development and Planning (IDP) team based in London.   The Senior / Principal Planner will collaborate with the Planning team, and associated Hubs, in negotiating and securing planning permissions across the Watkin Jones Group, including responding to planning queries from the business efficiently, and undertaking any other tasks required necessary to achieve the wider business objectives.  The role requires the use of specialist town planning experience, skills and knowledge related to our core ‘residential for rent’ tenures. The Senior / Principal Planner role sits within a Hub which comprise a blend of skillsets and experience including acquisitions, planning and technical development expertise. The Hub Members work together as high-performing autonomous teams, implementing Group Strategy – identification and appraisal of development opportunities, and maximising the conversion of those opportunities into development projects. The position is based in our London office in Soho Square and will include travel to sites / clients as required. About you We’re looking for someone who is educated to a degree / diploma or masters’ level in Town Planning and It’s important that you’re a full member of the RTPI for at least two years with knowledge of planning rules, procedures, guidance, and legalisation with a particular focus on residential for rent. You’ll need to be able to demonstrate a understanding local authorities and statutory bodies in relation to planning (plan making and decision taking) and be able to act assertively to support a point of view. You need to be able to prepare information for reports / appraisals and be comfortable to present information in accurate, logical format. IDP is a high performing team so the ability to work to tight schedule with competing priorities to deliver projects on time and in line with the design specifications / client requirements and be comfortable to hold accountability of significant workstreams and / or projects. What we can offer you Watkin Jones offers an in-house Learning & Development team to support you with personal and professional development including vocational qualifications, as well as a discretionary annual bonus, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing after 2 years’ service by 1 day up to a max of 29 days per annum), a health cash plan, discounted gym memberships, exclusive shopping discounts and a contributory pension scheme. Watkin Jones’ success to date has been based on our emphasis on building relationships of trust, our customer focus, and our forward-thinking structure. Our intention is to create ‘The Future of Living’, which to us means high quality rental homes, community focus and sustainably driven development. About Us  Watkin Jones Group is the UK’s leading developer, builder and manager of residential for rent homes, with 52,000+ homes developed and in-build across 135 schemes. Our operating arm, Fresh, manages over 20,000 units across 64 schemes, reflecting approximately £1.7bn of assets under management, giving us unique and unrivalled insight into what tenants and investors desire. Our company was established in 1791 and has been building homes since 1927. More recently, we listed on the AIM market in 2016 with a market cap of £255m (current market cap c. £550m). In FY2020 we generated gross revenue of £354m and a Gross Profit of £75.9m. Our position in the market is based on a ‘capital light’ model, where we typically work with institutional forward funders.

We are pleased to share a great opportunity for an experienced Senior / Principal Planner to join our high performing Investment, Development and Planning (IDP) team based in London.   The Senior / Principal Planner will collaborate with the Planning team, and associated Hubs, in negotiating and securing planning permissions across the Watkin Jones Group, including responding to planning queries from the business efficiently, and undertaking any other tasks required necessary to achieve the wider business objectives.  The role requires the use of specialist town planning experience, skills and knowledge related to our core ‘residential for rent’ tenures. The Senior / Principal Planner role sits within a Hub which comprise a blend of skillsets and experience including acquisitions, planning and technical development expertise. The Hub Members work together as high-performing autonomous teams, implementing Group Strategy – identification and appraisal of development opportunities, and maximising the conversion of those opportunities into development projects. The position is based in our London office in Soho Square and will include travel to sites / clients as required. About you We’re looking for someone who is educated to a degree / diploma or masters’ level in Town Planning and It’s important that you’re a full member of the RTPI for at least two years with knowledge of planning rules, procedures, guidance, and legalisation with a particular focus on residential for rent. You’ll need to be able to demonstrate a understanding local authorities and statutory bodies in relation to planning (plan making and decision taking) and be able to act assertively to support a point of view. You need to be able to prepare information for reports / appraisals and be comfortable to present information in accurate, logical format. IDP is a high performing team so the ability to work to tight schedule with competing priorities to deliver projects on time and in line with the design specifications / client requirements and be comfortable to hold accountability of significant workstreams and / or projects. What we can offer you Watkin Jones offers an in-house Learning & Development team to support you with personal and professional development including vocational qualifications, as well as a discretionary annual bonus, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing after 2 years’ service by 1 day up to a max of 29 days per annum), a health cash plan, discounted gym memberships, exclusive shopping discounts and a contributory pension scheme. Watkin Jones’ success to date has been based on our emphasis on building relationships of trust, our customer focus, and our forward-thinking structure. Our intention is to create ‘The Future of Living’, which to us means high quality rental homes, community focus and sustainably driven development. About Us  Watkin Jones Group is the UK’s leading developer, builder and manager of residential for rent homes, with 52,000+ homes developed and in-build across 135 schemes. Our operating arm, Fresh, manages over 20,000 units across 64 schemes, reflecting approximately £1.7bn of assets under management, giving us unique and unrivalled insight into what tenants and investors desire. Our company was established in 1791 and has been building homes since 1927. More recently, we listed on the AIM market in 2016 with a market cap of £255m (current market cap c. £550m). In FY2020 we generated gross revenue of £354m and a Gross Profit of £75.9m. Our position in the market is based on a ‘capital light’ model, where we typically work with institutional forward funders.

Our client has been established for over 40 years and whilst they work nationwide, they have a focus on markets within Gloucestershire and surrounding counties such as Thames Valley, M4 Corridor and London. Due to growth, they are now on the lookout for a Principal Town Planner to join the existing successful team. This is a permanent position. The successful Principal Town Planner will work on projects that vary in size and complexity but typically fall into the Residential Development, Education, Leisure and Care markets. The company is an established, forward-thinking practice, that doesn't just talk about modern working practices, they invest in and implement them. The Principal Town Planner will be a key member of the planning team responsible for directly managing applications/appeals/appraisals and assisting the planning team with larger projects to support the company's growth strategy. The role will involve representing and promoting the planning division (and cross selling other divisions) externally and internally, marketing activity and working effectively with key internal and external stakeholders, together with the day to day management of projects. Work is important but it is not everything, so our client strives to make work an enjoyable experience, providing flexible working opportunities, sabbaticals, social events and real willingness to explore any opportunity which allows every member of the team to grow and develop and maximise their potential! On top of this, the role will attract a competitive starting salary, benefits and ongoing support! Interested? The Director leading this recruitment is keen to speak with suitable Principal Town Planners ASAP so please express your interest below by clicking 'apply'. For further information on this role or others in the region, please contact me on or