Senior Environmental Planner, 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 decarbonize.

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.

Summary
We are looking for a Senior Planner with a bit of spark and drive, keen to work client side in the renewable energy industry in Lightsource bp’s in-house Planning Team. You will be involved in all aspects of a project’s life cycle, from initial site selection, planning application preparation, local authority liaison, stakeholder engagement, pre and post construction work. 

We encourage close collaboration across teams and you will work closely with other internal teams, including Business Development, Engineering, Grid, Construction, Asset Management and Structured Finance.

You will also be part of the wider global environmental planning community at Lightsource bp, with the opportunity to get involved in company level initiatives that interest you.

Duties and responsibilities

• Provide planning advice to inform decision-making on site selection planning strategy.
• Lead and manage the planning application process, including: project managing of external consultant teams; reviewing and signing off planning and environmental reports; collaborating with the internal Business Development, Engineering, Grid and Construction teams to define project design and detail, in response to planning, environmental and community issues.
• Partner internal Community Engagement teams on stakeholder engagement for projects, including sourcing and signing off content for community consultation events, building relationships with case officers, and other key stakeholders.
• Directly manage the timely discharging of all pre-commencement conditions on projects and undertake post-construction planning compliance assessments.
• Undertake due diligence for potential M&A targets and review consents and warranties on project and asset divestments.
• Prepare and engage in handovers to Construction and Asset Management, to ensure planning, environmental and social obligations during construction and operation are clearly detailed and understood.
• Monitor policy and regulatory change, and support in responding to local and national government policy consultations, and participate in industry events.
• Mentor junior staff and provide input into Team and Department strategies.
• Develop strong relationships with internal team members.

Regular travel around the UK for site visits, community information events, and meeting with LPAs is likely.

Knowledge

• Comprehensive working knowledge of the UK planning systems, including planning for TCPA scale projects. Experience with the DNS, ECU, and NSIP planning systems preferable (though not essential).

Experience & Education

• Extensive experience in planning and/or EIA (5+ years).
• Experience in managing projects at all stages of a project.
• Experience in ground mount solar PV and/or BESS preferrable, or other renewables energy/infrastructure projects.
• Degree level planning qualification required.
• RTPI (or equivalent) membership
• Fluent English essential

Work & General skills 

• Excellent technical, project management and communication skills with experience working with multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Driven with a hands-on proactive approach to business, and the ability to be flexible and adapt rapidly.
• Full Driving licence, preferrable  
• Hybrid work patterns considered

Why you’ll want to work with us    

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow – a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you: We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible: Our culture is driven by our core values. From operating safely to ensuring our solar projects are responsible and promote biodiversity. 

Be recognized: Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension, and other local benefits.

Be inspired: Join an agile, international team working across 15 countries to power the future and positively impact people, communities, ecosystems and biodiversity across the world.

Our core values: Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low-carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.  

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, veteran status or disability status.   Individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation related to LSbp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.).  If you would like to request an accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us to request accommodations.