Where do planners work?

28-Oct-09

Public sector

Traditionally, local authorities (city, district and county councils) in England, Scotland and Wales have been the employers of choice for planners in the UK, and continue to be the destination for many newly-qualified professionals. Local authority planners can be found in various council departments such as development control, regeneration, policy and forward planning. In Northern Ireland, the Planning Service of the Department for the Environment performs similar functions to local authorities in other UK nations. The Online Planning Directory (theplanningdirectory.co.uk) lists local authorities with their contact details.
The Planning Inspectorate which deals with refusal of planning permission and inquiries into local development plans in England and Wales, is another important employer of planners. Planners can also be found working for the Scottish Government and the National Assembly for Wales which are responsible for the planning systems in Scotland and Wales. In London, planners are found not only in council planning departments, but they also play a crucial role in the overall city-wide strategies for regeneration and development initiated by the Mayor’s Office.
Planners work for public bodies such as national park authorities, the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Natural England, all responsible for protecting the natural environment, the Highways Agency, responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the road network of England, and British Waterways, responsible for managing the canals and rivers of England, Scotland and Wales. Planners have a crucial role to play in organisations involved in urban regeneration such as the regional development agencies in England and English Partnerships and those involved in transport such as Transport for London. The Planning Advisory Service which helps local authorities to provide fairer, more efficient and better quality planning services is another employer.

Private sector

The private sector is another source of jobs for qualified planners. Some planners work on their own as independent consultants while others work in small or large companies. Some private consultancies may specialise in specific areas of planning such as planning law, urban design, transport, tourism, environmental management, waste management, sustainable development, regeneration or the historic environment. Others, usually the larger consultancies, may specialise in more than one area in planning and often have professionals from other related disciplines such as architecture and surveying working together with planners on large projects. Other private sector organisations such as house builders, water, gas, electricity and telephone companies and major retailers also employ planners for assessing suitable building locations and to prepare and submit planning applications. The RTPI’s directory of consultants provides contact details for many of the companies operating in the UK.

Charities

Planners also have a role to play in the work of campaigning organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Campaign to Protect Rural England, charities such as the National Trust and environmental and community groups involved in engaging local people and ensuring that their aspirations are respected in the planning process. Planners employed by the public and private sectors can also volunteer their services to individuals, community groups and charities who cannot afford to hire planning consultants. This may be through Planning Aid, the charity providing free and independent advice and support on planning issues to people and communities in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Further and higher education

Experienced planners may also work in colleges and universities, teaching or lecturing on planning courses or related subjects. They may do this either on a full-time basis, or part-time around their planning jobs.

 
Author:
Cheryl King
Publisher:
The Royal Town Planning Institute
Date:
28-Oct-09
Categories:
Planning as a Career 
Sections:
Education & Careers

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