Graduate Planner

This entry-level urban development and utility consenting scheme focuses on telecommunications planning and infrastructure deployment, training planning graduates to prepare statutory planning applications, write planning statements, and navigate regulatory frameworks to secure permissions for digital networks.

At Dalcour Maclaren, we're key players in the Utilities and Infrastructure industry, bringing the UK and Ireland closer to Net Zero every day. Our land, environmental and geospatial experts work together to unlock the consents needed by our clients to deliver key projects. 

Our services include land access and assembly, agricultural liaison, planning, environmental impact assessments and geospatial mapping. Join us, and play your part in helping us to achieve our vision; to be the professional services team of choice, leading the Utilities and Infrastructure industry to a sustainable future. 

Who are we?

Dalcour Maclaren is an innovative and highly dynamic multi-disciplinary consultancy working on huge range of exciting and diverse projects for a growing client base within Utilities and Infrastructure – think HS2, Offshore wind farms and Nuclear Energy! We are immensely proud to be working on some of the largest infrastructure projects taking place across the UK (and beyond!) which are instrumental in shaping the future of our planet.

If you want to play your part in helping the earth become more sustainable, and to reach NetZero by 2050, you would be making the right choice by joining the team here at Dalcour Maclaren. 

What is our Graduate Surveyor programme?

The Graduate Surveying programme ensures our graduates achieve qualified status through either the MRICS (APC) or AssocRICS (ATC) pathways. Our training programme, coupled with extremely valuable ‘on the job’ experience, enables our graduates to realise their full potential as a working professional, in addition to achieving their ambitions to become the leading surveyors of the future.   

What will you get up to? What does the job involve?

In a nutshell, as a Graduate Planner you’ll be working within our Digital Infrastructure planning team, helping to deliver planning permissions that enable improved connectivity across the UK. You’ll support the planning and delivery of telecommunications and digital infrastructure projects – from small‑scale urban installations to national network upgrades – while developing your technical planning knowledge and professional confidence.

You’ll be involved throughout the planning process, acting as an important link between our clients, local authorities, and wider stakeholders to help secure permissions and keep projects moving. This is a hands‑on role in a fast‑growing sector, offering early responsibility and exposure to technically and politically interesting projects.

A day in the life of a Graduate Planner could involve any of the following…

Preparing planning applications: drafting and submitting applications for a range of digital infrastructure developments, including telecoms sites, rooftop installations, mast upgrades, and street‑level technologies.

Planning statements and reports: writing planning statements, supporting documents, and appeal submissions that clearly set out the planning case. Site appraisals and feasibility work: assisting with early‑stage site assessments to understand planning risk, constraints, and opportunities.

Liaising with local authorities: engaging with planning officers, consultees, and other stakeholders to progress applications and resolve issues. Managing applications: monitoring live applications, responding to planning officer queries, and supporting negotiations where required. Permitted development and full planning: gaining experience across different planning routes and regulatory frameworks.

Site visits and surveys: getting out on site to undertake street‑level surveys, verify constraints, and understand schemes in context. Appeals and enforcement exposure: supporting appeal submissions and enforcement‑related matters as part of your professional development. Working on high‑profile locations: contributing to projects in sensitive and complex environments such as city

What do we need from you?

We don’t expect you to be an expert from day one, we're seeking the right combination of skills and attributes, like proactivity, problem-solving and a keen eye for detail that will contribute to your success.

However, to successfully enrol on our programme, you will need to hold a RICS accredited or relevant degree such as City Regeneration and Planning and a full UK driving licence and your own means of transport will also be essential. 

Why join us?

In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer…

Internal and external CPD events, interactive online training, offsite dedicated graduate training days. Visibility and transparency around our career pathways with significant progression opportunities which support a career for life. 25 days annual leave plus 1 day to celebrate your birthday.

Flexible advantage policy – allowing you to strike the work/life balance. Private healthcare through Vitality health membership (including access to discounted insurances, gym & fitness discounts, travel, and wellness benefits) . Generous pension scheme, if/when eligible. Regular team events with monthly office socials, funded by the business, as well as a companywide summer and Christmas party!   

Sabbatical policy after three years’ service. A team dedicated to our People culture, the DM way, to champion and recognise our people and ensure we continue to innovate through employee-led ideas. Time for you to give back to our communities and raise money for good causes through annual charity events and fundraising.

Opportunity to become part of an industry leading organisation with access to the best-in-class technology and pioneering software. Cycle to work scheme.

Benefits:

• Annual bonus scheme

• 25 days annual leave plus 1 day to celebrate your birthday

• Vitality Health Membership (including Private healthcare, subsidised gym membership and other discounts)

• Flexible working through our ‘Flexible Advantage’ supporting working families & your work/life balance

• Pension Scheme via The Peoples Pension

• Life insurance (4x Base Salary)

• Free on-site parking in non-city centre offices

• Cycle to work scheme

• 26 Weeks paid Maternity Leave

• 4 Weeks paid Paternity Leave

• BHN Extras – provides discounted gift cards for hundreds of popular retailers

• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme (provided by Octopus Electric Vehicles) effective at 1 years’ service

• Sabbatical Policy effective at 3 years’ service

• Professional development – paid study leave

• Military service paid leave (7.5 days per year)

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) plus wider Mental Health & Wellbeing support

• 2 x Company-wide events every year, in addition to multiple office socials throughout the year