Assistant Town Planner

REF: 102941

Assistant Town Planner - South West (Rural & Development Focus)Location: South West England (Devon/Somerset/Cornwall area)Salary: £25,000 - £32,000 (depending on experience) + benefitsType: Full-time, Permanent

We are delighted to be working on behalf of a well-established rural and development consultancy in the South West to recruit an Assistant Town Planner to join their successful planning team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a graduate or early-career planner to gain hands-on experience in a varied and rewarding role, supporting a busy team involved in rural, residential, and agricultural planning projects across the region.

Our client is a respected name in the South West property sector, with a long history of advising landowners, developers, and rural businesses. Their planning team works closely with in-house professionals across development, estate management, and agency services, offering clients a truly joined-up approach.

With a strong pipeline of work and ambitious growth plans, they are now looking to strengthen their planning division with an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Town Planner.

You will work on a wide range of planning applications, appeals, site appraisals, and land promotion strategies - with a particular focus on rural and semi-rural development. You'll be supported by experienced planners and encouraged to develop your skills across all areas of the planning process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assisting with the preparation and submission of planning applications and supporting documents

• Conducting site visits and assisting with appraisals

• Researching planning policies, designations, and local plan information

• Supporting with appeals and representations to local plans

• Liaising with clients, local authorities, and other consultants

• Providing general administrative and project support to senior planners

We're looking for a positive, proactive individual who is either recently graduated or has up to 2 years' experience in planning.

You'll ideally have:

• A degree in Town Planning or a related discipline (RTPI-accredited preferred)

• A genuine interest in rural and regional planning

• Excellent communication and report writing skills

• Strong attention to detail and a willingness to learn

• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

MRTPI or APC progression support will be offered to the successful candidate.

• Competitive salary based on experience

• Structured APC support and mentoring

• Genuine career progression opportunities within a growing team

• Flexible working options and a strong team culture

• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of planning work in a beautiful part of the country

Please contact Neil Ellerton of Penguin Recruitment for more information