Planning Advisor - 33502

Planning Advisor - 33502
1
North East
Newcastle
DEFRA GRP EA TYNESIDE HOUSE, NE4 7AR
Staff Grade 4
Permanent
Operational Delivery
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share
£34,320

22/02/2026, 23:55 hours

PC04 Partnerships & Customers, Grade 4

Basic Check

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.

Are you passionate about contributing to a more sustainable environment? This is your chance to make a meaningful impact.
We’re seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the Environment Agency’s North East Area Sustainable Places Team. In this key role, you’ll guide how growth and regeneration happen - ensuring developments safeguard communities, promote biodiversity, and protect our environment.
You’ll manage planning consultations with Local Authorities and developers, working closely with colleagues in flood risk, water quality, contaminated land, biodiversity, and environmental management to deliver expert advice. You’ll advocate for climate resilience and influence policies and proposals - shaping decisions that impact the future of our towns and cities.
This is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of planning systems while developing valuable skills in project management, financial oversight, leadership, and innovation.
We embrace diversity, inclusivity, and belonging.
The Environment Agency reflects the communities it serves. We don’t just talk about inclusion - we live it. Every new team member is welcomed and given full support, induction, and the equipment they need to thrive.
Incident response is central to our mission.
Everyone who joins us undertakes training and may support incident response, which could attract additional payments. Full training and flexible working arrangements are provided.
Our North East Area hub area is one of the most environmentally dynamic  and diverse regions in the UK—with main rivers, large coastlines, and complex urban growth. The work you do here will directly impact people, places, and the planet.

You’ll join our North East Area Sustainable PlacesTeam. 
We lead on shaping local plan strategies and planning applications. 
The Sustainable Places team is a friendly, collaborative group working across departments.
We partner internally and externally - with councils, developers, water companies, and Defra - to provide expert environmental advice. By evaluating data and assessments, we influence planning outcomes and internal strategies. This multi-functional role offers a dynamic career path within the Environment Agency.

We provide expert statutory and discretionary advice to planners, developers, and communities; evidence on the capacity and value of the environment to aid decision-making.

To succeed in this role, you'll demonstrate the following skills and qualities:
•    Passion for People & the Environment – A genuine interest in making a positive impact on communities and the environment.
•    Interest in Planning Systems – Knowledge about planning, economics, and development.
•    Teamwork & Collaboration
•    Influencing & Negotiation – Confidence in influencing and negotiating with various stakeholders.
•    Engagement & Communication – Ability to effectively engage and communicate with diverse audiences.
•    Problem-Solving & Results-Oriented – Proactive in addressing challenges and achieving results.
•    People & Project Management – Strong skills in managing people and projects to meet deadlines.
•    Adaptability & Prioritisation – Ability to adapt and prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment.


You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective  in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given.

You’ll have an EA Office base location, and are able to work remotely from home, but must attend the EA Office base location when required. 

We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, some travel and overnights may be required.

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact angela.hudson@environment-agency.gov.uk

Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.

Achieves Results
Describe a time when you have had to prioritise your work to deliver an important piece of work to time constraints.
Builds and Sustains Relationships
Tell us how you have worked co-operatively as part of a team or with stakeholders to achieve common goal? What was your role and how did you ensure you worked effectively alongside others?
Communicates Effectively
Describe a situation where you had to communicate a complex topic using a variety of methods. What strategies did you use to ensure your message was clear and effectively understood? How did you evaluate whether your audience had fully grasped the information?
Influences and Persuades Others
Please describe a time when you had to influence a colleague, customer or business to change their mind to get the outcome you wanted.
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the  Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.