Principal Consents Consultant (Planning & Consents Lead)

Overview

As Planning & Consenting Lead you will shape planning, permitting and environmental strategies for a high-profile UK defence and future nuclear infrastructure programme. You will partner with government teams, regulators and delivery partners to drive approvals and mitigate risks. Your work will influence project governance and investment decisions, enabling safe and timely delivery. This strategic role offers impact across major infrastructure while contributing to the energy transition mission.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead strategic planning and consenting approaches across large infrastructure programmes
• Advise on town planning, environmental permitting, marine licensing and statutory consents
• Inform senior leaders on planning risks, opportunities and delivery implications
• Drive planning applications, marine licences and regulatory approvals strategies
• Provide assurance and independent review of planning work from partners
• Guide Environmental Impact Assessment screening, scoping and strategy
• Manage relationships with planning authorities, regulators and statutory consultees
• Support consultation strategies and stakeholder engagement
• Identify and manage planning and consenting risks impacting cost, schedule or delivery
• Contribute to programme governance, reporting and investment decisions
• Support planning appeals, reviews and regulatory challenges

Key requirements

• Significant experience in planning, consenting or environmental approvals on major infrastructure programmes
• Strong knowledge of UK planning and environmental legislation and regulatory processes
• Experience developing planning and consenting strategies for complex projects
• Experience working with regulators, planning authorities and statutory consultees
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills with ability to influence at senior level
• Experience managing planning and consenting risks within wider programme delivery
• Experience in defence, nuclear, energy or other major infrastructure environments is highly beneficial

• stakeholder management
• communication
• influence at senior level
• planning and consenting strategies
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening, scoping and strategy
• environmental permitting

…