How to Become an Environmental Planner in the UK
Environmental planners make sure new developments, from housing estates to wind farms and roads, meet planning and environmental rules. You might coordinate Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), write planning statements, review ecology, noise and flood reports, consult communities and statutory bodies, and advise on mitigation.
Most environmental planners have a degree in planning, geography or environmental science, then train at a consultancy or local authority. Chartered status with the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or professional membership of IEMA strengthens your prospects.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £28,000 - £35,000
- Mid-career salary
- £38,000 - £55,000
- Senior salary
- £60,000 - £85,000
- Work environment
- Mixed site / office / field work
- Time to entry
- 1 - 4 years
- Degree required
- Often helpful
- Category
- Green Energy and Sustainability
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: High-paying careers.
What a Environmental Planner does
Make sure development projects meet environmental policy and protect natural and built environments.
- EIA Coordination - Coordinate Environmental Impact Assessments.
- Renewables Planning - Planning consents for wind and solar farms.
- Infrastructure DCO - NSIP DCO submissions for major infrastructure.
- Local Authority Planning - Environmental planning in council teams.
How to become an environmental planner in the UK
The most direct route is an RTPI-accredited undergraduate or master's degree in town planning, which leads towards Chartered Town Planner status (MRTPI) after a period of professional experience. Graduates in geography or environmental science often join consultancies as graduate planners or EIA consultants and take an accredited planning master's part time. The Level 7 Chartered Town Planner degree apprenticeship lets you qualify while employed. IEMA offers membership grades for EIA and environmental professionals, and a route to Chartered Environmentalist. Planners on major infrastructure work with Development Consent Orders under the Planning Act 2008.
- Study an RTPI-accredited planning degree, or a geography or environmental science degree followed by an accredited planning master's.
- Apply for graduate planner or EIA consultant roles at environmental and engineering consultancies, or planning officer roles at councils.
- Learn how EIA works in practice, from screening and scoping to coordinating the specialist chapters of an environmental statement.
- Build report writing and stakeholder skills by drafting planning statements, attending consultations and responding to statutory consultees such as Natural England.
- Start your RTPI Assessment of Professional Competence or IEMA membership application early, keeping a log of projects and competencies.
- Specialise in an area such as renewables planning, nationally significant infrastructure and Development Consent Orders, or local authority planning.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTPI-accredited planning degree | 3-4 years, then experience to charter | Tuition fee loan | School leavers |
| Environmental degree, then planning master's | 1-2 years for the master's | Postgraduate fees or employer-funded | Science and geography graduates |
| Chartered Town Planner degree apprenticeship | Several years | Paid by employer | People already working in planning |
How long it takes
You can join a consultancy or council as a graduate planner straight after a relevant degree. Most people then take 1 to 4 years to reach a full environmental planner role and work towards chartered status.
Environmental Planner salary in the UK
Graduate environmental planners usually start on around £28,000 to £35,000. With a few years' experience and chartered status, pay typically rises to £38,000 to £55,000. Associate directors, principal consultants and senior specialists in infrastructure or renewables can earn £60,000 to £85,000. Private consultancies usually pay more than local authorities, and London and the South East pay the most. Experience on nationally significant infrastructure and energy projects is in demand and supports higher pay.
Key skills
- Planning law
- EIA
- Stakeholder mgmt
- Report writing
- Negotiation
Environmental Planner FAQs
How do I become an environmental planner in the UK?
Take an RTPI-accredited planning degree, or an environmental or geography degree plus an accredited planning master's. Join a consultancy or council as a graduate planner, gain EIA experience, and work towards RTPI chartership or IEMA membership.
Do you need a degree to be an environmental planner?
Usually, yes. Most employers want a degree in planning, geography, environmental science or a related subject. The Chartered Town Planner degree apprenticeship is an alternative if you can find an employer to sponsor you.
How much does an environmental planner earn?
Graduates usually start on £28,000 to £35,000. Experienced and chartered planners typically earn £38,000 to £55,000, and senior specialists or associate directors can earn £60,000 to £85,000.
What is the difference between an environmental planner and a town planner?
Town planners shape and decide on development across an area, often in councils. Environmental planners focus on the environmental side, such as EIA, ecology, flood risk and mitigation, usually in consultancies. Many hold the same RTPI qualifications.
Is Environmental Planner right for you?
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