Town Planner

Overview

As a Town Planner at United Utilities, you will advise on development proposals, policy, and infrastructure planning across the North West. You will partner with local authorities, developers and regulators to enable sustainable growth while protecting critical water infrastructure. You will lead responses to complex applications, shape planning representations, and support major investment programmes. This role offers impact at scale within a FTSE 100 organisation, with opportunities to influence policy and delivery across the region.

Pay / Benefits

• 26 days annual leave
• annual performance bonus up to 10.5%
• pension with up to 14% employer contribution
• company-funded healthcare plan
• enhanced parental leave
• Employee Assistance Programme and mental health support

Responsibilities

• Lead responses to complex and high-profile planning applications, including nationally significant infrastructure projects
• Review emerging local plans and policy; prepare representations for United Utilities
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local planning authorities, developers and external stakeholders
• Advise on 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
• Provide expert planning advice on surplus land, new accommodation projects and property matters
• Deliver briefings and training to internal colleagues and external stakeholders
• Collaborate with Developer Services, Asset Management, Engineering, Property Services and Legal teams

Key requirements

• Degree in Town Planning or equivalent experience
• Membership of RTPI or RICS or willingness to work towards
• Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation, policy and processes
• Experience in town planning, infrastructure, utilities or related environment
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage a varied workload and prioritise competing demands
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Customer-focused approach with commercial awareness
• Desirable understanding of water sector, infrastructure planning, environmental considerations and development management
• Full UK driving licence; occasional travel and out-of-hours may be required

• negotiation
• stakeholder management
• presentation
• UK planning legislation and policy
• planning processes
• infrastructure planning

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