Principal Planner Town Planning (Infrastructure Planning)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP, a leading infrastructure consultancy in Birmingham, seeks an experienced Senior Consultant to join the Infrastructure Planning Team and drive town planning and consenting inputs on major projects across the UK.

You will lead multi-disciplinary teams, provide technical advice to clients, and manage consenting processes under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Planning Act 2008 and other relevant Acts. Join a growing, reputable firm with a strong community focus.

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification in town planning (or equivalent).
• Member of (or eligible for) the RTPI.
• Demonstrable experience in securing consents for major projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of Town & Country Planning Act applications for infrastructure projects across the UK.
• Support and lead on aspects of consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects (DCOs, DNSs, TWAOs, etc.).
• Provide sound technical advice to clients and support managing their consenting requirements, demonstrating awareness of clients’ expectations and needs.
• Work and liaise with statutory bodies and stakeholders on behalf of clients to help deliver projects.
• Lead and engage with teams across a variety of disciplines, providing technical oversight.
• Understand project and team roles and actively support and contribute to achievement, building positive relationships within the team.
• Proactively engage in developing own knowledge and skills to build ability and the team’s internal knowledge base.
• Support work winning opportunities in line with WSP’s Growth Strategy, contributing to identifying opportunities and to proposals.
• Maintain awareness of project finances and demonstrate project management experience, ideally within a consultancy environment.

Education

Degree in town planning

RTPI membership

Job description

Job Description

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

WSP is an award‑winning consultancy that employs the largest number of chartered town planners across the UK. In December 2025, WSP won the RTPI’s Planning Consultancy of the Year for its excellence in uniting diverse disciplines to achieve outstanding results and its strong community engagement.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Consultant to join our Infrastructure Planning Team to support town planning and consenting inputs on major and nationally significant infrastructure projects.

The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience of working within multi‑disciplinary teams to secure consent and approvals for major or nationally significant infrastructure projects via the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Planning Act 2008 and Transport and Works Act Order. Experience with the Planning (Wales) Act 2015, Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, or the Electricity Act is also desirable.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of Town & Country Planning Act applications for infrastructure projects across the UK.
• Support and lead on aspects of consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects (DCOs, DNSs, TWAOs, etc.).
• Provide sound technical advice to clients and support managing their consenting requirements, demonstrating awareness of clients’ expectations and needs.
• Work and liaise with statutory bodies and stakeholders on behalf of clients to help deliver projects.
• Lead and engage with teams across a variety of disciplines, providing technical oversight.
• Understand project and team roles and actively support and contribute to achievement, building positive relationships within the team.
• Proactively engage in developing own knowledge and skills to build ability and the team’s internal knowledge base.
• Support work winning opportunities in line with WSP’s Growth Strategy, contributing to identifying opportunities and to proposals.
• Maintain awareness of project finances and demonstrate project management experience, ideally within a consultancy environment.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree level qualification in town planning (or equivalent).
• Member of (or eligible for) the RTPI.
• Demonstrable experience in securing consents for major projects.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Join our close‑knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.