Principal Town Planner

We have an opportunity for a Principal Town Planner to work on infrastructure planning projects across the UK, with particular expertise and focus on DCO projects. We have an impressive portfolio of involvement in major infrastructure projects, including delivery of projects through various consenting regimes such as DCOs. We are currently leading on planning applications for renewables and wider energy/electricity related infrastructure, transport, defence, water and much more.

• numerous solar DCOs with a pipeline of future work
• carbon capture and storage projects
• energy transmission schemes
• large aviation and rail projects
• housing and mixed‑use development consenting

We are passionate about delivering planning to support complex projects. As our Town Planning team is national and we support hybrid working, we are flexible in terms of base location. The role can be based from our offices in Basingstoke, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Chesterfield, Leeds, London Aldgate, Manchester, Nottingham and Plymouth, with an option for hybrid working.

AECOM’s rapidly growing Town Planning team plays a key role in delivering major infrastructure and development projects. AECOM is a top‑ten UK planning consultancy by size, employing more than 70 Chartered or Licentiate Planners. Working as a planning consultant within AECOM means access to some of the highest profile and prestigious development projects in the UK, working with colleagues operating at the cutting edge of their disciplines as part of the largest UK environmental consultancy.

• Project Leadership and Delivery
  • Lead and assist in the delivery of major development applications.
  • Coordinate multi‑disciplinary teams across various project types.
  • Submit and manage planning applications, including liaising and negotiating with local planning authorities and key stakeholders.
• Planning and Advisory Services
  • Provide planning advice to colleagues and clients on consent requirements and permitted development rights.
  • Produce planning feasibility reports and consent strategies.
  • Write Planning Statements and Design and Access Statements for development applications.
• Client and Business Development
  • Contribute to business development in specific market sectors, including sector strategy.
  • Identify opportunities and build client relationships.
  • Lead and contribute to the preparation of successful commercial tenders.
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Work closely with the Environmental Impact Assessment team.
  • Participate in internal and external meetings with stakeholders.
• Project and Operational Management
  • Oversee project management, ensuring quality and adherence to health and safety principles.

• Degree in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or an equivalent professional body.

• Significant relevant experience of leading applications for planning consent for large infrastructure projects across a range of consenting regimes.
• Expert witness experience would be advantageous.

• Client focus, with good interpersonal skills and a collaborative working approach.
• Existing relationships with clients and local authorities.
• A business development mindset, with demonstrable experience of work winning and developing relationships with existing and new clients.

• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Ability to work on your own initiative and under pressure.

• High level of commitment to quality.

At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations. There has never been a better time to be at AECOM.

We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, programme and…