Principal/Associate Policy Planner in Manchester

We are looking for a Principal/Associate Policy Planner to join our friendly, award‑winning 80‑strong planning team in order to meet increasing demand for our policy and plan making services. Our team has never been busier as we support numerous local authorities around the country to prepare sound and sustainable plans and infrastructure strategies that respond to the current climate and ecological crises, housing shortages and health and social inequalities. A key area of growth for our planning team is our Local Plan support offer, so we’re particularly interested to hear from candidates with Local Planning Authority experience.

We work collaboratively with LUC’s historic environment, ecology and landscape services, as well as with a range of co‑consultants. We maintain long‑term and fruitful partnerships with clients in the public and private sectors, voluntary and third‑sector. We listen carefully to clients’ needs, help inform their thinking about the challenges ahead, and provide intelligent, multidisciplinary responses. We’re amongst the top five providers of planning services to local authorities in England and have framework contracts with major energy companies, Sport England, Forestry England, and the Royal Parks amongst others.

You will have the opportunity to work with numerous Local Planning Authorities across the country on a wide range of projects. We embrace fresh ideas and encourage creativity and we’re committed to your professional development, offering mentorship, training, and opportunities for advancement. Our policy and plan making services include sub‑regional and Local Plan policy development, evidence base studies and integrated appraisal. Our sectoral interests include green infrastructure and nature recovery, Green Belt policy, climate adaptation and renewable energy, housing, waste, minerals, and the water environment.

Responsibilities

• Managing medium‑sized projects, including external sub‑consultants where relevant.
• Providing equivalent level (Senior/Principal Officer) support to Local Planning Authorities, including potentially through part time/short term secondments arrangements.
• Tender preparation and other business development activities, including attending tender interviews.
• Possibility for line management responsibilities.

Associate Planner

• Managing larger or more complex projects, including external sub‑consultants where relevant.
• Providing equivalent level (Principal/Team Leader) support to Local Planning Authorities, including potentially through part time/short term secondments arrangements.
• Leading tender preparation and other business development activities, including taking a lead role in tender interviews.
• Contributing to leadership of the wider Planning team including line management and mentoring of more junior staff.
• Input to company/local office management.
• Contributing to delivery of internal and external training, in the field of policy and plan making.

The role is based in LUC’s offices in Bristol, London, Manchester or Sheffield. We work in a hybrid model with people being in the office a minimum of two days per week. There will also be travel required to visit sites, client offices and other office locations. A full‑time role is based on 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday). However, LUC has a strong track record in flexible working, and we have been recognised for our flexible working culture, so we are happy to discuss a range of flexible working options for this role including part time hours (minimum 30 hours per week) if desired.

Salary: £39,000 - £59,000 FTE, Dependent on experience (Plus London Allowance where applicable)

Experience and qualifications

• This role would suit a Policy Planner who is looking to take the next step in their career.
• Educated to degree level, ideally in a relevant planning or environmental degree e.g., planning, geography, environmental science. Or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge and expertise.
• Knowledge of Local Plan making process and awareness of current legislative context.
• Experience of managing planning projects either through previous consultancy or Local Authority roles.
• Experience of undertaking, managing and/or commissioning local plan preparation including relevant evidence studies, supporting documents and policy‑making.
• Excellent report writing and numeracy skills.
• Excellent communication skills and a proactive approach to building relationships with colleagues and clients.
• Willingness to pursue full membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
• Experience of working within a Local Authority plan making team.
• Experience of Local Plan project management.
• Experience of undertaking, managing and/or commissioning statutory assessment processes such as Strategic Environmental Assessment, Habitats Regulations Assessment, Health Impact Assessment and Equalities Impact Assessment.
• Knowledge of one or more of our sectoral interests, in particular housing, climate change, green infrastructure and/or nature recovery.
• Experience of line management and mentoring.
• Membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Please apply by uploading your CV and covering letter via the above link. LUC is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we actively encourage applications from under‑represented groups. We value the differences, needs and contributions a diverse workforce represents, and we strive to embed equality, diversity and inclusion in all our people related activities.

Location: Bristol, London, Manchester or Sheffield

Contact name: Arron Barker

Contact email: talent@landuse.co.uk

Contact phone: 020 7383 5784

Reference: 2026-25