Advertising & Recruitment Update

July 31, 2026

Why planning teams are adjusting recruitment strategies amid infrastructure reform

Recent national planning reforms are reshaping recruitment strategies across councils and consultancies. With major infrastructure projects now moving through the system faster — including wind farms, transport links and energy schemes — planning teams are under pressure to expand capacity.

Development Management teams are seeing increased demand for officers who can handle complex applications linked to transport‑led growth and large‑scale regeneration. Policy teams are also adjusting to new housing land supply requirements, including the 20% buffer introduced this month, which is expected to influence decision‑making across dozens of authorities.

Consultancies are responding by widening their search for planners with strong technical capability, EIA experience and confidence working on major infrastructure schemes. Clear job briefs, competitive packages and targeted advertising remain essential for attracting high‑quality candidates in a tightening market.

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