Job Description

Are you an ambitious planning graduate or early-career planner passionate about tourism and leisure-led development? Greenfinch, a specialist planning and development consultancy focused on sustainable tourism, glamping, luxury hotels, and rural estates, is looking for a Junior Town Planner to join our dynamic UK team.

As part of Greenfinch, you'll work alongside chartered planners, architects, and project managers to help deliver remarkable spaces driven by design excellence and sustainability. You'll gain direct exposure to feasibility studies, planning applications, site appraisals, and stakeholder engagement -- while being actively supported toward professional accreditation and career growth.

Team Overview & Company Summary

Greenfinch is a specialist planning, design, and development consultancy with deep expertise in tourism and leisure - including wedding venues, glamping, luxury hotels, and rural estates. We emphasise sustainability, design quality, and client-led ambition. Our multidisciplinary team spans chartered planners, architects, energy specialists, and project managers with collective experience that underpins our ability to deliver truly remarkable and sustainable development.

Purpose of the Role

The Junior Town Planner will support Greenfinch's planning team in delivering high-quality, sustainable planning projects across the UK tourism and leisure sectors. You will contribute to site appraisals, planning applications, stakeholder engagement, and research to help bring imaginative and viable development projects to life.

Key Responsibilities

Prepare and contribute to site appraisals and feasibility studies for tourism- and leisure-led developments. Support the preparation of planning applications and associated documentation (planning statements, design & access statements, supporting reports). Assist in providing pre-application advice to clients, including policy review and risk assessment. Undertake research into planning policy, local plans, and relevant legislation. Liaise with local authorities, statutory consultees, consultants (EIA, ecologists, heritage), and clients. Support stakeholder engagement (community, landowners, developers) and public consultation. Monitor project progress, coordinate internal and external teams, and help manage timelines. Assist in preparing responses to consultations, appeals, or enforcement matters (as needed). Help produce high-quality presentation materials for internal and external meetings. Maintain project records, internal databases, and documentation for compliance and audit.
Essential Qualifications & Experience

Degree in Town Planning, Urban Planning, or related discipline (RTPI-recognised preferred). Some experience or internships in planning (e.g., consultancy, local authority, public sector). Strong academic record and evidence of analytical thinking (e.g., dissertation, projects). Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Desirable Qualifications & Experience

Experience working on tourism, leisure, or rural development projects. Familiarity with planning policy, local plans, and statutory consultees in the UK. Experience of stakeholder engagement or community consultation. Knowledge of design & access statements or environmental planning (EIA). Working towards (or interest in working towards) RTPI Chartered Membership (MRTPI). Previous site-visit experience or field surveying.
Core Technical Skills

Planning research and policy analysis Report writing (planning statements, appraisals) Site appraisal and feasibility assessment Stakeholder liaison and consultation Project coordination
Soft Skills

Strong collaboration and team-player mentality Proactive and self-motivated Good time management and organisation Attention to detail Problem-solving mindset Adaptability & willingness to learn
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 28,000.00-35,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 24 - 40 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Flexitime Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Oxford OX3 0TU