Principal Planner; Infrastructure Planning

Overview

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects, and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

WSP is an award‑winning consultancy that employs the largest number of chartered town planners across the UK. In December 2025, WSP won the RTPI’s Planning Consultancy of the Year. It is an exciting time to join the market‑leading Infrastructure Planning Team. Our success is built on employing highly skilled consenting specialists who have experience serving a diverse portfolio of clients in the energy, renewables, nuclear, net zero, water, rail, and aviation sectors.

We work at all stages of the consenting process from early feasibility through construction on a variety of major national infrastructure projects.

• Lead preparation of Town & Country Planning Act applications for infrastructure projects across the UK.
• Support and lead consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects (DCOs, DNSs, TWAOs, etc.).
• Provide sound technical advice to clients and support managing their consenting requirements.
• Work and liaise with statutory bodies and stakeholders on behalf of clients to help deliver projects.
• Lead and engage with cross‑disciplinary teams, providing technical oversight.
• Understand project and team roles and actively support and contribute to achievement, building positive relationships.
• Proactively develop own knowledge and skills to build team’s internal knowledge base.
• Support work‑winning opportunities in line with WSP’s Growth Strategy, contributing to identifying opportunities and proposing solutions.
• Demonstrate awareness of project finances and project management experience, ideally within a consultancy environment.

• Degree‑level qualification in town planning (or equivalent).
• Member of (or eligible for) the RTPI.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Consultant to support town planning and consenting for major and nationally significant infrastructure projects via the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Planning Act 2008, Transport and Works Act Order, and where applicable the Planning (Wales) Act 2015, Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, or the Electricity Act.

Mid‑Senior level – Contract.