At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning for a major reservoir project, collaborating with experts and managing key documents.
- Company: Join Anglian Water, a leader in sustainable infrastructure projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private healthcare, double-matched pension, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Flexible working, inclusive culture, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of water supply and make a lasting impact on communities.
- Qualifications: Relevant town planning qualification and experience with major applications.
Salary: circa £65k, depending on skills and experience
Full-time, with flexibility for part-time. 37 hours per week/permanent
Location: Peterborough/London - Hybrid working, 2 days p/w in Anglian Water office and able to visit sites in Lincolnshire, when required
- Private health care
- Double-matched pension
- Virtual GP service for you and your household
- Life assurance at 8 times salary
Be part of a once-in-a-generation project! Anglian Water is delivering one of the most ambitious infrastructure programmes in our history, the multi-billion-pound Reservoirs Programme, including two major new water reservoirs in the East of England: Fens and Lincolnshire. These projects of national significance will transform water supply across the region and secure a sustainable future for millions.
We're seeking a Planning Lead to play a pivotal role in shaping the Lincolnshire Reservoir, a career-defining opportunity for an experienced and passionate Town and Country Planner.
About the role
As Anglian Water's Planning Lead, you'll be at the forefront of our Development Consent Order (DCO) application, working alongside our specialist planning consultants as part of a multi-disciplinary team of experts in consenting, design, masterplanning, construction, stakeholder engagement, land acquisition, and environment to drive a strategic, coordinated, and proactive approach, ensuring the project is not just consentable but fully fundable.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead the planning workstream for the Lincolnshire Reservoir, working closely with a multi-disciplinary team and reporting to the Head of Stakeholder & Planning.
- Manage outputs from specialist planning consultants to deliver key planning documents, including the Planning Strategy, Planning Statement, Policy Accordance Tables, Statements of Common Ground, and S106 Agreements.
- Provide strategic planning input into the DCO programme, design decisions, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, and DCO requirements.
- Identify planning risks early and propose mitigation strategies, including alignment with other developments and emerging Local Plans.
- Manage and oversee the production and submission of supporting Town and Country Planning Act applications as required.
- Collaborate internally across the reservoir projects and Anglian Water teams to share best practice and ensure consistent planning approaches.
- Engage proactively with local planning authorities, including in relation to preparing and agreeing planning performance agreements.
- Attend and support meetings and public consultations.
What does it take to be Planning Lead?
- A relevant town planning qualification with extensive experience dealing with major applications gained in a local planning authority/consultancy.
- Experience of dealing with Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and the Development Consenting Order process.
- Chartered Royal Town Planning Institute member or eligibility to join.
- Strong knowledge of the UK planning system including the Development Consent Order process.
- Excellent relationship management skills with a collaborative, quality-focused approach.
- Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Skilled negotiator, able to navigate complex stakeholder discussions.
- Strong project management abilities, with excellent organisational skills.
- Full UK driving licence, with flexibility to travel to meetings and site visits.
As a valued employee, you'll be entitled to:
- Personal private health care
- Life assurance (up to 8 x salary)
- Personal accident cover (up to 5 x salary)
- Double-matched pension (maximum 7% employee : 14% employer contribution)
- 26 days annual leave - rising with length of service and the ability to buy more
- Excellent family friendly policies, such as 26 weeks full pay for maternity / adoption leave, as well as 4 weeks paid paternity / partner leave.
- Opportunity for shared parental pay
- Bonus scheme
- Flexible benefits to support your wellbeing and lifestyle.
Inclusion at Anglian Water
We value the representation & diversity within our communities. Inclusion is for everyone and we are an equal opportunity employer, which means we'll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes, and we're committed to creating an environment where all our colleagues feel they belong.
Closing date: 26th July 2026
Join us to help shape our future water supply. This is a great opportunity to influence one of the UK water industry's most ambitious infrastructure programmes and help shape a legacy that will benefit future generations across our region. If you're ready to lead and leave your mark, we want to hear from you!
Planning Lead - Lincolnshire Reservoir employer: Anglian Water
Anglian Water is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to be part of a transformative project that will secure sustainable water supply for millions. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, including private healthcare, a double-matched pension scheme, and generous family-friendly policies, we foster a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises professional growth and development. Join us in Peterborough or London, where you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Lead - Lincolnshire Reservoir
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Anglian Water, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Planning Lead - Lincolnshire Reservoir at Anglian Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Lead - Lincolnshire Reservoir
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Anglian Water
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
