Planning Specialists – Sustainable Places

Planning Specialists – Sustainable Places

£43,198 + £4,606 London Weighting Allowance where applicable
York, Leeds, Warrington, Wallingford London SW1, Newcastle, Darlington, Bodmin, Exeter, Preston, Penrith, Brampton, Ipswich, Nottingham, Welwyn Garden City, West Malling, Kettering, Lincoln, Chichester, Romsey, Pevensey, Worthing, Kidderminster, Shrewsbury, Tewkesbury, Blandford, Bridgwater
Permanent, Full-Time
Staff Grade 5

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 highly motivated and enthusiastic individuals to work as part of a team that engages with and influences local planning authorities, planning decision makers and developers to secure the best possible environmental outcomes.

As a Planning Specialist, you will be an expert advisor on planning issues, taking and creating opportunities to achieve sustainable economic prosperity that protects and enhances our environment. In this key role, you’ll guide how growth and regeneration happen – ensuring developments safeguard communities, promote biodiversity, and protect our environment.

Your work will involve:

• Providing technical leadership, expertise and guidance, primarily to Sustainable Places, but also other internal consultees involved in the planning process, ensuring the best environmental outcomes are achieved, on development proposals and planning appeals.
• Providing pre-application and strategic advice, including the associated recovery of costs for this work.
• Providing expert planning advice to Local Authorities on their Local Plans and strategic evidence base.
• Working with a high degree of collaboration, using effective written and spoken communication skills to influence customers, build strong relationships and networks internally and externally.
• Leading on the team’s most high-profile work areas.
• Training and coaching others to equip them with the knowledge and skills to resolve local issues, ensuring decisions are made on sound technical grounds and are in line with local and national guidance.
• Supporting the Team Leader in leading and managing the team and issues, taking ownership of improvement actions.

We will be hosting a Sustainable Places Recruitment webinar on Tuesday, 24 March from 14:00 to 15:00. You don’t need to have submitted an application to join. The link to join can be found via the apply button. Please note that the webinar is not anonymous and your name will be visible to other attendees.

The Environment Agency reflects the communities it serves. We don’t just talk about inclusion – we live it. Every new team member is welcomed and given full support, induction, and the equipment they need to thrive.

Incident response is central to our mission. Everyone who joins us undertakes training and is expected to support incident response, which could attract additional payments. Full training and flexible working arrangements are provided.

Experience and Skills

Essential:
You will have significant relevant experience in planning and be able to demonstrate the following:

• Have or will be working towards a degree in Town and Country Planning or in a relevant discipline (for example, but not limited to: Geography, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Geoscience, Ecology, Biology).
• Knowledge of the UK Planning system and relevant legislation, including Town & Country Planning.
• Significant relevant experience in a planning related role for example but not limited to working with the Environment Agency as a Planning Advisor or Planning Specialist or in a consultee team, or working for a developer, local planning authority, or other statutory consultee, for example: NE, MMO, Heritage England, Highways England.
• Ability to deal with and advise on development issues and / or on complex environmental problems.
• Experience of working with and influencing organisations and individuals to deliver environmental benefits.
• A problem solver with the ability to work on complex issues and opportunities.
• Confidence in communicating strategic and technical issues to a range of audiences.
• Ability to provide pre-application and strategic advice, including the associated recovery of costs for this work.
• Team-working skills and experience in working flexibly responding to changing demands in a high workload, high pressure environment.

Desirable:

• Experience managing client-based projects and budgets.
• Reviewing and improving processes and procedures.
• Coaching and mentoring experience.
• Membership or demonstrable progress towards membership of a relevant professional body.

Team Information

The Sustainable Places team is a friendly, collaborative group working across departments to shape local plan strategies and planning applications. We partner internally and externally – with councils, developers, water companies, and Defra to provide expert environmental advice.

What We Offer You:

• A salary up to £43,198 + £4,606 London Weighting Allowance where applicable
• Generous Pension: Secure your future with our excellent pension scheme.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy 27 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 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.

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 candidate guidance on our careers 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 an 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: Friday 3rd April
Interview Dates: Week Commencing 20th April 2026