Senior​/Principal Planner – Strategic Rural & Commercial Projects

Senior / Principal Planner – Strategic Rural & Commercial Projects

Cheshire | Hybrid | Full-time preferred | £50-£60k + benefits

Wharfe Rural Planning is a specialist consultancy working across the full breadth of countryside planning, from strategic land promotion and commercial greenfield development to housing schemes and complex rural projects.

We deliver clear, high-quality, well‑reasoned planning advice that stands up to challenge, supported by a practical, real‑world understanding of how things work on the ground.

Our work ranges from small but important rural projects that matter deeply to individual clients, through to larger schemes, including:

• Diversification projects, farm business developments and estate planning
• Appeals, certificates and enforcement
• Complex rural problem‑solving
• Housing developments up to 100 homes
• Commercial development of greenfield sites up to 25 acres
• Strategic land promotio

We are not driven by the ego of numbers or scale. What matters to us is meaningful work that improves people’s lives, supports rural businesses and communities, and reflects the values we hold as a team.

Clients come to us because we offer something different in this sector: high standards, clear judgement and practical insight, enabling us to Counsel clients through the process. We help people navigate situations that are often complex and sometimes emotional, and we take pride in doing the job properly.

We have a collaborative delivery structure that supports both quality and well‑being

• Lead meaningful strategic, commercial and countryside projects from first enquiry through to decision
• High autonomy, supported by a collaborative delivery structure
• Work that genuinely impacts rural businesses, families and communities

We’re looking for a Senior/Principal Planner who wants to work on a varied mix of countryside planning projects and take responsibility for their work from end to end.

Your exact level in the business will depend on your experience, but the core of the role includes:

• Leading planning projects from first enquiry through to decision
• Developing clear strategies and explaining the reasoning behind them
• Working directly with clients on matters that are personal and important to them
• Preparing applications and supporting documents to a high standard
• Managing discussions with planning officers and external consultants
• Supporting colleagues and drawing on support in return through our Job Manager / Job Advisor model
• Helping clients make confident decisions about their land or business

The work is varied and can move quickly at times, so you will need to be adaptable, comfortable with changing priorities and able to stay composed under pressure. You’ll always have support around you, but you will also need the confidence to take ownership of your part of the job.

We operate a flexible hybrid model
, with home working alongside time in Cheshire for site visits, team collaboration and client meetings.

Fit and approach matter more than job titles.

You’ll likely already have experience managing planning applications and client relationships independently, and be comfortable owning projects end‑to‑end.

• Good judgement
• Curiosity and willingness to learn
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Emotional intelligence
• The ability to explain complex planning issues
• Confidence in taking responsibility for your work
• A grounded, practical approach to planning
• Respect for clients, colleagues, and the countryside

You do not need a purely rural background. Many excellent planners have transitioned into rural work successfully – and we’re happy to support that transition. We value MRTPI, RICS, or equivalent experience, but these are not required if your background demonstrates capability, clear thinking and professional maturity.

This role will suit someone who enjoys planning as a problem‑solving discipline, cares about getting things right, and appreciates working in a team that values openness, fortitude, and clear thinking.

• A competitive package – commensurate with experience
• A varied and interesting workload
• A high degree of autonomy, balanced with support
• A structure that allows you to grow at a pace that suits your experience
• Work that genuinely makes a difference to people and places

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If you’d like an informal, confidential chat before applying, we’d be happy to arrange this.