Sean Taylor

Senior Planning Consultant,

SLRConsulting

HNC Land Administration - University of West of England, Bristol

Certificate of Professional Planning Studies, University of Central England, Birmingham

MSc – University of Reading

I developed a keen interest in pursuing a career in Development Control Planning following a visit to a Local Planning Authority, which formed part of a GCSE geography field trip.

My career path into planning has evolved by combining full time work with part time study. I have secured support from a number of employers to enable me to pursue my studies and I have also benefited from work experience at the same time. I have been able to secure a series of promotions to reach my current position.

I first worked in Local Government, where I was employed as a Development Control Case Officer. My duties involved processing a number of major development applications, particularly within Pontypool, such as the re-development of the Clarence Corner to accommodate a mixed use scheme incorporating offices, retail and residential units and the construction of a fast food restaurant development. I also worked as part of a team responding to a wide variety of enquiries on the re-development of the Blaenavon Conservation / World Heritage site.

My current job involves …..

I now work in private practice where I prepare and manage Environmental Statements, large scale complex planning applications and planning appeals. I was responsible for the planning application for the redevelopment of the former Tropicana outdoor swimming pool at Weston-Super Mare to a new leisure scheme. The proposed uses included a new swimming pool, restaurants, bars, hotels and shops. The redevelopment of this site will assist in the local council achieving one of its strategic objectives for future growth, regeneration and prosperity within the town of Weston.

I provide planning advice, guidance and information to clients through the drafting of planning appraisals and reports. I also draft, submit and project manage planning applications and planning appeals to the Planning Inspectorate.

I supervise and mentor junior team members, I review and monitor work load, quality and variety and provide feedback on strengths and development areas. I also market the company and prepare bids for new work.

My Views on Planning as a Career

Depending on your own personal aspirations and aims you can progress your own planning career (whether in the private or public sector) to suit your own goals.

As a developing and growing consultancy practice, SLR provides me with the opportunity to enhance my planning experience on a wide variety of challenging projects. Ultimately, the career path within SLR provides an opportunity to progress from a Senior Consultant (my current role) to Associate and Principle and long term, Technical Director.

Everyday we are influenced by the built environment around us. Offices, shops, industrial buildings, houses and the surrounding countryside all have an impact on the quality of our lives. I personally enjoy Planning because I can become actively involved influencing and managing the future environment.

Planning work is so varied and exciting for example getting involved in the development of large scale, mixed use regeneration schemes and community building projects provides a diverse range of challenges and wide variety of experiences. There is no ‘routine’ planning application as each one has a unique element and I have been fortunate to have worked on a number of different types of developments.

I also like being able to practically apply education, skills and ability to listen to and negotiate with diverse groups of people and to identify imaginative solutions that are acceptable to all parties and meet stated objectives.

Other positives I like about planning are working within a team. At SLR I have been fortunate enough to have worked with various specialists who interact with the planning process, for example, geotechnical, land contamination, ecology, archaeology etc. I believe my exposure to these various elements has improved my awareness and commercial understanding of other elements of the planning process.

Author:

Roisin Willmott

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

26-Nov-08

Categories:

Planning as a Career 

Sections:

Education & Careers

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