Sustainability Appraisal (SA) / Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Specialist
Contract: 6-Month Rolling Contract
Rate: £40–£55 per hour (DOE)
Location: Hybrid/Flexible
Start: ASAP
We are recruiting for an experienced Sustainability Appraisal (SA) / Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Specialist to support a local authority with a critical and time-sensitive review of the Sustainability Appraisal for an emerging Local Plan to 2046.
This is an opportunity to play a key role in ensuring the robustness of the Sustainability Appraisal ahead of Local Plan submission and examination. The successful candidate will provide an independent expert review of the methodology, findings and supporting documentation, helping to mitigate planning and legal risks associated with the plan-making process.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct an independent review of the Sustainability Appraisal methodology and supporting evidence base.
- Assess compliance with UK SEA and Sustainability Appraisal legislation, regulations and guidance.
- Review draft and interim Sustainability Appraisal documentation, providing practical recommendations for improvement.
- Evaluate the appraisal of reasonable alternatives and development strategies.
- Advise on legal conformity and procedural robustness.
- Support the finalisation of the Sustainability Appraisal for submission alongside the Local Plan.
- Present findings and recommendations to planning officers and senior stakeholders.
- Produce clear, concise summaries of complex environmental assessment matters where required.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Extensive experience delivering or independently reviewing Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) and/or Sustainability Appraisals (SA) within the Local Plan process.
- Strong knowledge of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004.
- In-depth understanding of UK planning legislation, policy and guidance relating to Local Plans, SEA and SA.
- Experience reviewing Sustainability Appraisal documentation and identifying improvements prior to Local Plan submission.
- Ability to assess legal and procedural compliance of environmental assessment documentation.
- Experience appraising development strategies and reasonable alternatives.
- Excellent analytical, report writing and stakeholder engagement skills.
Desirable Experience
- Previous involvement in Local Plans progressing through examination.
- Experience advising English local planning authorities on plan-making risks and mitigation.
- Experience providing independent assurance or peer review of Local Plan Sustainability Appraisals.
- Experience using Objective document management software.
About You
We’re looking for a senior planning, sustainability or environmental assessment professional with significant Local Plan experience gained within:
- Local Government
- Planning Consultancies
- Environmental Consultancies
- Strategic Planning Advisory Environments
Candidates must be able to demonstrate recent experience working on English Local Plan Sustainability Appraisals, with a proven ability to independently review or lead SEA/SA work. Due to the nature of the assignment, applicants should be able to provide objective, impartial advice and have experience working in environments subject to examination and legal scrutiny.
If you have a strong track record in Local Plan SEA/SA delivery and review and are available to start at short notice, we’d like to hear from you. Please apply with an up-to-date CV highlighting your relevant Local Plan projects and SEA/SA experience.