Planning and Consents officer

Orion Group; Chester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Group is recruiting for a Planning and Consents Officer to join their Major Projects team, supporting the Carbon Capture Pipeline NSIP in the North West of England.

You will manage town planning, environmental consents and third-party approvals, working with internal teams, consultants and statutory bodies to secure and maintain necessary permissions throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Background in major project consenting.
• Experience on NSIPs, DCO projects or large linear infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of the UK planning system and environmental consenting processes.
• Confident engaging with statutory bodies and coordinating consultant teams.

Responsibilities

• Support and lead management of town planning and environmental consents for the Carbon Capture Pipeline project.
• Coordinate inputs from specialist consultants on planning, environmental assessments and consent submissions.
• Support preparation and ongoing management of the Development Consent Order (DCO) and related approvals.
• Ensure compliance with planning legislation, environmental regulations and DCO requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
• Act as a key contact with local planning authorities, statutory consultees, landowners, and third parties.

Skills

Background in major project consenting

NSIPs/DCO project experience

UK planning system knowledge

Stakeholder engagement with statutory/

Job description

Our client is recruiting for aPlanning and Consents Officerto join their Major Projects team,supporting the development and delivery of aCarbon Capture Pipeline project in the North West of England.

The project is aNationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP)and is being progressed under theDevelopment Consent Order (DCO)regime. This role will be dedicated to this single project and will play a critical part in managing town planning, environmental consents, and third-party approvals required for its successful delivery.

You will work closely with internal project teams, external consultants, and statutory bodies to ensure all planning and consent requirements are secured, maintained, and complied with throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Planning & DCO Consents Management

• Support and, where appropriate, lead the management of town planning and environmental consents for the Carbon Capture Pipeline project.
• Coordinate and manage specialist consultant inputs related to planning, environmental assessments, and consent submissions.
• Support the preparation, submission, and ongoing management of the Development Consent Order (DCO) and associated approvals.

Planning & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with relevant town planning legislation, environmental regulations, and DCO requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor consent conditions, planning obligations, and compliance milestones, ensuring these are embedded into project delivery.

Stakeholder & Statutory Engagement

• Act as a key point of contact with local planning authorities, statutory consultees, landowners, and other third-party stakeholders.
• Support and lead engagement activities to facilitate effective planning outcomes and timely consent delivery.

Documentation, Reporting & Governance

• Maintain accurate and auditable records of all planning consents, approvals, and correspondence.
• Prepare reports, briefings, and planning documentation to support project governance and decision-making.

Project Integration & Coordination

• Work closely with project managers, engineers, and environmental specialists to integrate planning and consent requirements into the project programme and design.
• Identify and manage planning-related risks, dependencies, and constraints affecting project delivery.

Team Collaboration & Leadership

• Provide planning and consent advice to the wider project team.
• Act as the lead for consents management and third-party engagement for the project, ensuring clear ownership and accountability.

Qualifications

• Background in major project consenting.
• Experience working on NSIPs, DCO projects, or large linear infrastructure schemes is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of the UK planning system and environmental consenting processes.
• Confident engaging with statutory bodies and managing consultant teams.
• Organised, proactive, and comfortable working within a complex project environment.

People are our business worldwide

Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services - Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management - across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables