Town Planner

United Utilities; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Performance bonus up to 10.5%

Pension with up to 14% employer

Company-funded healthcare

Enhanced parental leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted gym memberships

Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice

ShareBuy scheme

Salary Finance - financial wellbeing

Flexible benefits - MORE Choices

Job summary

United Utilities is looking for an experienced Town Planner to help shape sustainable growth across the North West, balancing major development projects with essential water and wastewater infrastructure. The role is based at Lingley Mere, Warrington with hybrid working (three days on site).

As the subject matter expert, you will advise on development proposals, policy and infrastructure planning; lead responses to complex planning applications; build strong relationships with local authorities,

Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning or equivalent experience.
• Membership of RTPI or RICS, or willingness to work towards.
• Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation and processes.
• Experience in town planning, infrastructure or utilities.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage a varied workload and prioritise demands.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.
• Customer-focused approach with commercial awareness.

Responsibilities

• Lead responses to complex planning applications, including nationally significant infrastructure projects.
• Review emerging local plans and planning policy, preparing representations on behalf of United Utilities.
• Build strong relationships with local planning authorities, developers and key external stakeholders.
• Advise on the planning implications of growth and development across the region.
• Support major investment programmes by identifying future infrastructure and land requirements.
• Represent United Utilities at planning examinations, consultations and stakeholder meetings.
• Providing expert planning advice on surplus land opportunities, new accommodation projects and wider property matters.
• Deliver briefings and training to internal colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Working closely with teams across Developer Services, Asset Management, Engineering, Property Services and Legal.

Skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Presentation

Communication

Commercial awareness

Education

Town Planning degree

RTPI or RICS membership

Job description

Town Planner

Location: Lingley Mere, Warrington (Hybrid Working - 3 days per week onsite)
Hours: 37 hours per week, Full Time

Help Shape the Future of the North West

At United Utilities, we're passionate about delivering great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West. Every day, our work supports millions of customers, protects the environment and helps communities thrive.

We're looking for an experienced Town Planner to join our team and play a key role in shaping sustainable growth across the region. This is a unique opportunity to influence major development projects, infrastructure investment and planning policy while helping ensure the North West has the water and wastewater services needed for generations to come.

If you're looking for a role where your expertise can make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

As our Town Planner, you'll be the subject matter expert on planning matters affecting United Utilities, providing specialist advice on development proposals, planning policy and infrastructure planning across the North West.

You’ll work closely with local authorities, developers, regulators and internal stakeholders to ensure growth and development can be delivered sustainably while protecting vital water and wastewater infrastructure.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading on responses to complex and high-profile planning applications, including nationally significant infrastructure projects.
• Reviewing emerging local plans and planning policy, preparing representations on behalf of United Utilities.
• Building strong relationships with local planning authorities, developers and key external stakeholders.
• Advising on the planning implications of growth and development across the region.
• Supporting major investment programmes by identifying future infrastructure and land requirements.
• Representing United Utilities at planning examinations, consultations and stakeholder meetings.
• Providing expert planning advice on surplus land opportunities, new accommodation projects and wider property matters.
• Delivering briefings and training to internal colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Working closely with teams across Developer Services, Asset Management, Engineering, Property Services and Legal.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a commercially minded planning professional who enjoys influencing stakeholders, solving complex challenges and shaping long-term sustainable growth.

You’ll ideally have:

• A degree in Town Planning or equivalent experience
• Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or willingness to work towards
• Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation, policy and planning processes.
• Experience working within town planning, infrastructure, utilities, development or a related environment.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to manage a varied workload and prioritise competing demands effectively.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.
• A customer-focused approach with commercial awareness.

A good understanding of the water sector, infrastructure planning, environmental considerations and development management would be highly advantageous.

A full UK driving licence is required, and occasional travel and out-of-hours commitments may be necessary.

Why Join United Utilities?

This is your chance to join a FTSE 100 organisation with a clear purpose and a commitment to making a positive difference to the communities we serve.

You’ll be empowered to develop your career while working on projects that genuinely shape the future of the North West.

Our Benefits Include

• 26 days annual leave, rising to 30 days with service, plus bank holidays.
• Annual performance bonus of up to 10.5%.
• Market-leading pension with up to 14% employer contribution.
• Company-funded healthcare plan.
• Enhanced parental leave policies.
• Employee Assistance Programme and mental health support.
• Discounted gym memberships and wellbeing benefits.
• Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.
• ShareBuy scheme.
• Financial wellbeing support through Salary Finance.
• Flexible benefits through our MORE Choices platform.

Join Us

At United Utilities, you'll collaborate with colleagues, communities and partners to help create a more resilient, sustainable future for the North West.

UU colleagues:

This role is offered on Personal Contract terms and conditions and is not subject to collectively bargained pay arrangements. In line with our approach for Personal Contract appointments, salary details are not advertised. For further information regarding the salary associated with this role, please contact the named member of the Talent Acquisition team.