Senior Planning and Policy Officer – Hyperscale Data Centre Campaign

Overview

This is a key role for APRS supporting our hyperscale data centre campaign. The role will provide expert advice and support for communities, while also producing representations and objections for planning applications as they come in, and also delivering on policy and development planning work related to hyperscale data centres. We are seeking a RTPI Chartered Town Planner (or eligible for full RTPI membership).

This role is focused on an exciting area of planning, where a rush of planning applications for hyperscale AI data centres is testing planning policy, guidance, and the key concept of the Scottish planning system being plan-led. This has implications for the environment, for Scotland’s landscapes and its resources and infrastructure. It also is of huge concern to local communities near to sites where hyperscale data centre development is proposed.

APRS is recruiting a qualified RTPI Planner to lead our technical and policy response to this rapid expansion. We have been campaigning on hyperscale data centres since October and momentum is gathering, with community campaigns springing up against data centres in their own localities. This role will have three stands: provide technical advice and support for communities grappling with the planning system, monitoring and responding to planning applications and inputting to local development plans, and also providing policy advice, briefings and consultation responses.

We are seeking a well organised, committed and proactive person, who has excellent technical knowledge of Scotland’s Planning system and also the ability to translate that knowledge into communications for non-specialists including communities, politicians, and civil servants (among others). You will join our small and supportive team. If you enjoy variety, a fast-paced work place, and want to make a real difference in a small environmental charity, we would love to hear from you.

This is an unusual role - we are seeking an experienced Planner, but it is for a time-limited role. We have funding for up to a year (longer if the role is done part-time), depending on pay and working pattern, but want to find the right person and so we are very willing to have flexible arrangements to accommodate those who perhaps would work part-time for us and continue other freelance work.

We also realise that this may appeal to those who have newly retired and may wish a part-time role, which we would also welcome. The role would ideally be three or four days a week, however we are also happy to discuss a full-time role and, in unusual circumstances, may engage someone on a freelance basis.

This post will require occasional work out of hours, including at weekends, for which time off in lieu will be granted.

If you have any questions about the role please email katt

We work from a small, friendly office in the centre of Edinburgh, which we share with Global Justice Now. The role is based in the office but with the option of hybrid working. The aim would be to coincide in the office where possible with the Director (who works Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).

Due to the nature of the current office, in an old building, it is not currently accessible for all, however, if you have access requirements, please let us know and we will do all we can to accommodate your needs, including providing the option of working from home.

If you have any questions about the role please email katt

Kat Jones, APRS Director

Salary £33-£38,000 (pro rata – ie if it were full time).

• You will receive 25 days annual leave (pro rata), with an additional day for each year of service up to 30 days, plus 10 days statutory holidays (pro rata).
• APRS contributes 8% to a pension plan with NEST.
• All our staff members work part time.
• We have a flexitime policy and we will work to accommodate those with family, caring, or other responsibilities.

We are legally required only to employ candidates with the right to work in the UK.

26 August 2026 11pm

8 September 2026 (in our offices at the Augustine church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh – with the option to request an online interview for accessibility reasons)

role in our hyperscale data centre campaign and will support and extend the work we have been doing. As a small charity (we currently have only three part-time staff), this role will help make our data centre campaign more sustainable over the next year or so.

Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS) is Scotland’s countryside charity, campaigning to protect, enhance, and promote Scotland’s countryside and rural landscapes for everyone’s benefit, and we support others to do the same.