Principal Town Planner

Purpose

To bring passionate, independent, and creative thinking to complex challenges that deliver better outcomes for clients and their communities. This is a purpose driven consultancy where infrastructure meets integrity, and where the work has meaningful impact.

Role: Senior Planner - Town Planning & Consents Team

Due to increasing demand for services, the consultancy is seeking to recruit a Senior Planner to join its Town Planning & Consents Team.

Role Overview

The Senior Planner will provide town planning expertise for public and private sector clients in the transport, energy, and water sectors, supporting major infrastructure and regeneration projects across the UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as part of an integrated team supporting clients in the delivery and implementation of planning and consents applications, including Town and Country Planning Act submissions, Development Consent Orders, Transport & Works Act Orders, and Parliamentary Bills.
• Analyse relevant planning policy and legislative frameworks at an early project stage to provide strategic advice on planning requirements.
• Support stakeholder engagement and consultation with local authorities, statutory bodies, and third parties to achieve agreement on planning and consenting matters.
• Provide planning input for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) projects.
• Work within multidisciplinary teams, including engineers and architects, to support understanding of consenting requirements and processes, and contribute to consents submission deliverables.
• Monitor construction activities to ensure compliance with consents and planning obligations.
• Support public consultation and community liaison events.
• Compile evidence for public hearings and inquiries.

Skills and Experience

• Degree in Town Planning or a relevant discipline.
• Chartered membership of RTPI achieved or working towards.
• Interest in delivering Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
• Experience in development management is essential; knowledge of the DCO process is desirable.
• Strong report writing skills with the ability to present complex information clearly.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Team oriented approach with willingness to support colleagues.
• Self motivated with a desire to learn and develop.
• Inquisitive mindset with confidence to challenge and ask questions.