Planning Advisor – Sustainable Places x10

Planning Advisor – Sustainable Places

Penrith, Preston, Bodmin, Exeter, Warrington, West Malling, Wallingford, Rotherham, Beverley, Leeds, York
Permanent, Full-Time
Staff Grade G4

About the Role

Are you passionate about contributing to a more sustainable environment? This is your chance to make a meaningful impact.

We’re seeking a motivated, confident and enthusiastic person to join a team that engages with a range of customers to promote sustainable growth and secure the best possible environmental outcomes.

You will be one of the EA’s main points of contact with a designated group of local planning authorities, developers and other bodies mainly engaged in:

• Planning application advice.
• Pre-Application and strategic advice, including recovery of costs for this work, liaising with customers, issuing quotes and reports.
• Local Development Plan advice – evidence, policy and site allocations.

You will proactively engage with local Authorities and developers, working closely with colleagues in flood risk, water quality, contaminated land, biodiversity, and environmental management to deliver expert advice and manage and coordinate our formal responses within negotiated timescales, ensuring that we provide appropriate quality outcomes. You’ll advocate for climate resilience and influence policies and proposals – shaping decisions that impact the future of our towns and cities. You will need to meet strict deadlines and targets under challenging work pressures.

The successful candidate will need the ability to develop strong relationships, have excellent communication and customer service skills, and will develop an awareness of the Government’s growth agenda, relevant planning systems, how the development industry in general operates as well as an understanding of Environment Agency objectives. This is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of planning systems while developing valuable skills in project management, financial oversight, leadership, and innovation.

Incident response is central to our mission, everyone who joins us undertakes training and is expected to incident response, which could attract additional payments, full training is provided.

We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies.

Experience and Skills

Essential:

• You will have a degree in Town and Country Planning or a relevant discipline (e.g. Geography, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Geoscience, Ecology, Biology), OR significant relevant planning experience, such as working in an EA Sustainable Places or consultee team, or for a developer, local planning authority, or another statutory consultee (e.g. NE, MMO, Historic England, Highways).
• A willingness to learn and enthusiasm for the environment and planning processes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to successfully engage with a range of audiences.
• Strong team ethic and ability to work independently.
• A proven ability to achieve results and proactively identify and solve problems.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Strong customer service, communication and relationship-building skills – both written and verbal.
• Excellent IT skills.

Desirable:

• Good understanding of our broad business and environmental activities.

Team Information

The Sustainable Places team is a friendly and supportive team that work across departments to deliver EA2030 goals. We work closely with internal technical teams to evaluate environmental data, evidence and assessments and produce consolidated planning responses on behalf of the Environment Agency. Externally, we advise councils and developers to ensure development happens in the right way with the right environmental infrastructure to protect and enhance the environment.

What We Offer You:

• A salary up to £34,320
• Generous Pension: Secure your future with our excellent pension scheme.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays, with options for flexible working.
• Career Growth & Comprehensive Training: Benefit from structured development, mentorship, and continuous learning.
• Impactful Work: Directly contribute to protecting and enhancing the environment, making a real difference.
• Inclusive Culture: Join a supportive team that values diversity and collaboration.
• Extra Perks: Paid environmental outcomes days, and comprehensive leave schemes (maternity, paternity, adoption).
• Options for flexible and / or part-time working may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Why Choose the Environment Agency?

Join the UK’s largest environmental organisation and be part of a team that tackles national challenges head-on. We are committed to achieving tangible results, from implementing industry regulations to restoring polluted water bodies. We invest in our people, providing tailored training, equipment, and a collaborative community where your contributions truly matter.

As an organisation we strive to reflect on the communities we serve. To achieve this, we welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, sexual orientation, and religion.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Click apply and start your application today!

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the UK’s biggest environmental organisation. Join us, and together, let’s tackle the challenges of a changing climate and build a more sustainable future. Apply now and embark on a rewarding and fulfilling career journey with the Environment Agency.

Additional Information

Please note, artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our carers site for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Please note that providing false or misleading information at any stage of the application or recruitment process may result in withdrawal of your application, or where applicable, disciplinary action in line with internal processes

We will maintain a reserve list for 6 months and may offer similar roles at other locations linked to this position.

Candidates selected for interview will be notified by email at least five days in advance. Please check both your inbox and junk mail folders to ensure you don’t miss our message.

Closing Date: Monday 9th March 2026.
Interview Dates: Week Commencing 23rd March 2026.