Associate Director, Development Planning

Land Use; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Land Use Consultants seeks a senior Associate Director to lead development planning across the UK, focusing on large renewables projects and DCO/NSIP roles. Role includes managing projects, advising clients, and coordinating with authorities to secure consent.

You will contribute to business growth, participate in a hybrid work model (office at Bristol/Cardiff/London/Manchester/Sheffield with regular site/office travel) and have the chance to influence planning strategy and outcomes.

Qualifications

• This is a senior appointment requiring lead on large-scale renewable energy projects including DCO/NSIP and appropriate qualifications.
• You will have led a range of applications or development projects including renewables and infrastructure at various scales.
• Extensive development management experience with feasibility studies, pre-application reports and strong local authority relationships.
• Understanding of Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Excellent communication, report writing and negotiation skills.
• Educated to degree level in Planning or related field and RTPI membership.
• DNS/IC experience in Wales and s36 experience in Scotland is desirable.
• Expert witness experience at appeals and inquiries.

Responsibilities

• Lead on planning strategy for large projects and negotiate with local planning authorities.
• Manage and mentor project teams for renewables and infrastructure schemes.
• Engage clients and authorities to secure planning permissions and approvals.

Skills

DCO/NSIP experience

Project management

Development management

Environmental Impact Assessment

Communication & negotiation

Report writing

Degree in Planning or related

RTPI Chartered

DNS/IC experience (Wales/Scotland)

Expert witness experience

Education

Degree level in Planning or related

RTPI Chartered member

Job description

Associate Director, Development Planning

Associate Director, Development Planning Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, or Sheffield

About the role:

We are seeking a skilled and experienced chartered Town Planner to lead on large scale renewable energy projects including DCO / NSIPs in England and major projects in Scotland and Wales.

At LUC we deliver an exciting range of projects across the UK. From early advice on planning strategy and feasibility through to securing planning permission and providing post consent support, you will be a technically confident planning advisor to our public and private sector clients on renewables projects and across our other key sectors.

Our key sectors are renewable energy, education, sport and recreation, historic environment, agriculture and forestry, housing and mixed‑use development. With our complementary landscape, heritage, ecology climate change and EIA services, we help clients to maximise the potential of their development.

Our current projects include advising on wind, solar, energy storage and grid upgrade projects for private and public sector clients; masterplans and major projects for schools; landmark developments in historic parks and gardens; new facilities for sport and recreation; and parks, recreation and housing schemes for local authorities.

The role includes the opportunity to share and participate actively in the management and ownership of the business through the Employee Ownership Trust, which places full ownership of the company with the employees.

The role can be based in LUC’s Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester or Sheffield offices. We work in a hybrid model with people being in the office a minimum of two days per week. There will also be travel required to visit sites, client offices and other office locations.

A full-time role is based on 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday). However, LUC has a strong track record in flexible working, and we have been recognised for our flexible working culture, so we are happy to discuss a range of flexible working options for this role including part-time hours (minimum 30 hours per week) if desired.

Experience and qualifications

This is a senior appointment, requiring relevant experience as planning lead on large scale renewable energy projects, including DCO/NSIPs, and appropriate qualifications.

• Development Consent Order (DCO) / NSIP experience as planning lead and expert witness.
• You will have project managed and / or led a range of applications or development projects including renewable energy and infrastructure projects, at a range of scales including large / complex projects, taking a lead on planning strategy and negotiating with local planning authorities / applicants.
• Extensive development management experience, including the preparation of feasibility studies, pre‑application / planning application reports, submitting applications and building excellent relationships with local planning authority case officers / applicants.
• Understanding of Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Excellent communication skills, the ability to build and nurture positive and effective relationships with colleagues, clients, and case officers, and good negotiation skills.
• Excellent report writing skills including the ability to communicate complex planning issues clearly and make concise planning arguments.
• Educated to at least degree level, in a relevant Planning or other degree (graduate and/or post‑graduate).
• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
• Development of National Significance (DNS) / Infrastructure Consent (IC) experience in Wales and s36 experience in Scotland.
• Experience of Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Expert witness at appeals and inquiries.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

LUC is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we actively encourage applications from under‑represent­ed groups. We value the differences, needs and contributions a diverse workforce represents, and we strive to embed equality, diversity and inclusion in all our people related activities.

Location Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, or Sheffield