Planning & Environmental Specialist

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering planning and environmental consents, managing the discharge of planning conditions and mitigation measures on consented projects, and overseeing environmental management during construction. The role requires an experienced infrastructure planner or environmental specialist with a strong understanding of current and emerging planning and environmental legislation across Scotland and the wider UK.

The position will also involve supporting environmental inputs across both the consenting and delivery phases of large-scale renewable energy projects, including onshore and offshore wind and other emerging technologies being developed across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage planning and environmental compliance activities, including the discharge of planning conditions, across a portfolio of consented UK onshore wind farms, with a particular focus on Scotland.
• Lead engagement and consultation with key external stakeholders and statutory bodies such as local authorities, NatureScot, SEPA, Marine Scotland and local communities.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary internal teams and external partners to prepare and submit planning and environmental consent applications in line with relevant legislative requirements.
• Coordinate the procurement and management of planning, environmental and specialist consultancy services to support project consenting and compliance.
• Provide planning and environmental input to project teams throughout feasibility, screening, and site assessment stages to support timely project delivery.
• Identify and resolve planning and environmental consenting challenges, providing technical guidance to project teams where required.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of planning and environmental regulations, particularly in relation to renewable energy and emerging technologies in the UK.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Around 5+ years' experience in planning and/or environmental consenting, including discharge of planning conditions on major infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of UK planning and environmental regulatory requirements, particularly in Scotland.
• Proven experience of major infrastructure consenting processes such as Section 36, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated experience managing internal and external stakeholders and supporting public consultation processes.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in a collaborative project environment.
• Well-organised with a structured approach to project delivery and commercial awareness.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to project requirements.
• Full clean driving licence.

Desirable

• Experience delivering environmental consent requirements for large infrastructure or renewable energy projects, including marine developments.
• Experience preparing environmental permits, marine consents, and associated studies or surveys.
• Experience working on marine or offshore infrastructure projects in the UK.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Planning, Environmental Science or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in Planning, Environmental Science or similar.
• Chartered status or working towards chartership with a recognised professional body.
• Membership of a recognised planning or environmental institute.
• Project management qualification.

Location

The role is based in Glasgow, with travel to project sites across Scotland as required. This role is largely remote with roughly 1 office visit each month.