Principal Planning Consultant

Principal Planning Consultant – Southampton

Strategic Housing, Local Plans & Appeals

An outstanding opportunity has arisen with a growing planning consultancy for a Principal Planning Consultant to join its Southampton-based team.

This business has established itself as a trusted advisor to land promoters, national house builders and investors across Hampshire and the South Coast. Their portfolio includes strategic housing allocations, edge-of-settlement developments and regeneration schemes requiring careful planning strategy, stakeholder management and appeal expertise.

The Role

This is a senior technical role with significant autonomy, suited to a planner who enjoys complexity and strategic thinking.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing major residential planning applications from inception to determination
• Leading pre-application strategies and planning risk assessments
• Drafting robust Planning Statements and supporting planning evidence
• Promoting sites through emerging Local Plans and preparing representations
• Leading appeal strategies, including preparation of Statements of Case
• Coordinating multi-disciplinary consultants (transport, ecology, heritage etc.)
• Acting as lead client contact and ensuring excellent service delivery
• Supporting and mentoring junior staff on technical work streams

About You

• MRTPI qualified (or extremely close to completion)
• Strong experience in residential planning consultancy or developer-side roles
• Confident managing planning appeals and Local Plan processes
• Strong commercial judgement and client management ability

A brilliant opportunity for an experienced planner to step into a more strategic role with strong progression potential.

All applications will be treated in strict confidence.