31563 - Planning Specialist
| Posting date: | 31 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £41,617 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 25 August 2025 |
| Location: | Warrington |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 5 days per week |
| Company: | Environment Agency |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 31563 |
Summary
Are you passionate about contributing to a more sustainable environment? This is your chance to make a meaningful impact.
We’re seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the Environment Agency’s GMMC Sustainable Places Team. In this key role, you’ll guide how growth and regeneration happen - ensuring developments safeguard communities, promote biodiversity, and protect our environment.
The successful candidate will be expected to:
• Provide technical expertise and guidance on development proposals and planning appeals.
• Project manage our input into high-profile developments.
• Influence the preparation and review of Local Plans including relevant policies, evidence base, and infrastructure delivery plans.
• Represent the Environment Agency as an expert-witness at appeals and inquiries.
• Develop relationships with stakeholders and customers, internally and externally, to maintain robust partnerships and influence environmental outcomes.
• Keep up to date on changing legislation/case law/best practice externally.
• Mentor other members of the team on policies, procedures, practices and techniques.We embrace diversity, inclusivity, and belonging.
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 may support incident response, which could attract additional payments. Full training and flexible working arrangements are provided.
Our Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Cheshire areas are some of the most environmentally dynamic regions in the UK—with main rivers, large coastlines, and complex urban growth. The work you do here will directly impact people, places, and the planet.
The team
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. By evaluating data and assessments, we influence planning outcomes and internal strategies. This multi-functional role offers a dynamic career path within the Environment Agency, allowing you to make a real impact while growing professionally.
Experience/skills required
The successful candidate will have a professionally recognised planning qualification, and either be a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or be eligible for membership. If not Chartered, you will be expected to gain accreditation as soon as practicable.
Proven experience of:
• Dealing with and advising on development issues and / or on complex environmental problems.
• Demonstrable successful influencing.
• Communicating strategic and technical issues to a range of audiences.
• Working with others to deliver environmental benefits.
• Outstanding technical knowledge and experience of dealing with a wide range of planning and related applications.
You’ll be a skilled advisor on planning issues, taking and creating opportunities to achieve sustainable economic prosperity that protects and enhances our environment.
We will encourage you to keep developing your skills and professional knowledge throughout your career.
We’re seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the Environment Agency’s GMMC Sustainable Places Team. In this key role, you’ll guide how growth and regeneration happen - ensuring developments safeguard communities, promote biodiversity, and protect our environment.
The successful candidate will be expected to:
• Provide technical expertise and guidance on development proposals and planning appeals.
• Project manage our input into high-profile developments.
• Influence the preparation and review of Local Plans including relevant policies, evidence base, and infrastructure delivery plans.
• Represent the Environment Agency as an expert-witness at appeals and inquiries.
• Develop relationships with stakeholders and customers, internally and externally, to maintain robust partnerships and influence environmental outcomes.
• Keep up to date on changing legislation/case law/best practice externally.
• Mentor other members of the team on policies, procedures, practices and techniques.We embrace diversity, inclusivity, and belonging.
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 may support incident response, which could attract additional payments. Full training and flexible working arrangements are provided.
Our Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Cheshire areas are some of the most environmentally dynamic regions in the UK—with main rivers, large coastlines, and complex urban growth. The work you do here will directly impact people, places, and the planet.
The team
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. By evaluating data and assessments, we influence planning outcomes and internal strategies. This multi-functional role offers a dynamic career path within the Environment Agency, allowing you to make a real impact while growing professionally.
Experience/skills required
The successful candidate will have a professionally recognised planning qualification, and either be a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or be eligible for membership. If not Chartered, you will be expected to gain accreditation as soon as practicable.
Proven experience of:
• Dealing with and advising on development issues and / or on complex environmental problems.
• Demonstrable successful influencing.
• Communicating strategic and technical issues to a range of audiences.
• Working with others to deliver environmental benefits.
• Outstanding technical knowledge and experience of dealing with a wide range of planning and related applications.
You’ll be a skilled advisor on planning issues, taking and creating opportunities to achieve sustainable economic prosperity that protects and enhances our environment.
We will encourage you to keep developing your skills and professional knowledge throughout your career.