Principal Environmental Planner

Job Title:

Principal Planner (Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects)

Reporting to :
Head of Environmental & Social Planning, UK & Ireland

Location:

London, UK

We are Lightsource bp – and we’re on a mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables, anchored by our proven track record in solar development.

For over a decade we’ve been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We work to safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonise.

Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long-term sustainable growth and energy security.

Lightsource bp was fully acquired by bp in 2024.

We are looking for an experienced, driven planner to lead planning and environmental permitting across our growing solar and battery energy storage portfolio. This is a high-impact role at the heart of the energy transition, shaping projects from inception through to consenting, construction, and operation.

You will own the end-to-end planning and permitting process — managing consultants, preparing and progressing environmental assessments and planning applications, and negotiating with planning, environmental, and permitting authorities. You will input into business strategy, manage competing priorities across multiple projects, and provide clear, defensible planning advice that balances technical, environmental, and commercial considerations.

You will work collaboratively across business development, engineering, grid, construction, and legal teams — bringing credibility, rigour, and a solutions-focused mindset to every challenge.

• Proven TCPA and NSIP experience and strong working knowledge of the Planning Act 2008
• Up-to-date understanding of the UK planning and environmental permitting policy landscape
• The confidence to navigate complex stakeholder environments - from local authorities to political stakeholders
• Strong project management skills: programme, risk, and budget ownership
• A proactive, hands-on approach with the judgment to drive projects forward

You will be a key member of a collaborative, high-performing team, supporting and deputising for the Head of Environmental Planning as needed. You'll also join Lightsource bp's wider global environmental planning community, with opportunities to contribute to company-wide initiatives that align with your interests.

• Taking a key role in leading and managing the planning for NSIP scale and other projects. Developing Lightsource bp’s inhouse NSIP expertise.
• Provide expert advice to inform planning strategy, decision making, and risk management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support site selection and project feasibility work undertaking environmental / planning appraisals, using GIS tools and undertaking site visits. Providing expert planning advice to inform decision-making, identifying potential planning constraints which may impact site selection.
• Lead and manage the planning and environmental permitting activities for a portfolio of projects, including: appointment and project management of external consultant teams; review and sign off of reports; collaborating with the internal Business Development, Engineering and Construction teams to define project design and detail, ensuring these respond to planning, environmental and community challenges and concerns.
• Ensure planning applications are legally robust and defensible, anticipating and mitigating judicial review risk through rigorous interrogation of assumptions and evidence.
• Work with internal Development Managers and co-developers in permit and licensing processes and their responses/solutions to flagged risks and propose risk mitigation measures.
• Programme, budget and risk management including regular reporting to the Head of Environmental Planning and the Business Development team.
• Lead on stakeholder engagement for projects, building and maintaining relationships…