Planning Aid England has been hosting the President of the Royal Town Planning Institute as she tours three Tyneside schools to see North East young people who are shaping the future of their communities.

Planning Aid - which has offices in Newcastle - provides free, independent and professional planning advice to individuals and communities who cannot afford to pay professional fees.

For six years the service has been empowering the North East’s young people to take a greater interest in the future of the places they live in.

Planning Aid was showcasing its work to Ann Skippers, the President of the RTPI - the body which represents 22,000 of Britain’s planning professionals.

They visited Westgate Hill Primary School, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne; Carville Primary School, Wallsend; and Shiremoor Primary School, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.

Manager of Planning Aid’s Newcastle office, Kevin Lillie, said: “Thanks to our service thousands of youngsters across the North of England have been learning about the issues planners are facing. Our young people are helping shape local areas and in some cases are contributing to key planning documents. This important group are citizens in their own right and are our future.”

At Westgate Hill Primary School Planning Aid has been working with the school council to help them understand the planning issues affecting the development of a new school.

In Wallsend a group of pupils at Carville Primary School have been preparing to invite the rest of the school and parents to look into the history and evolution of the town.

Shiremoor Primary School now includes planning studies within the school timetable.

Executive Head teacher of Westgate Hill Primary School, June Foster, said: “Planning Aid really helps the school and community feel they are part of the development of our new school.”

Head teacher of Carville Primary School, Wallsend, Paula Richardson, said: “Our children will be working hard with their parents over the next few months as they look into the past and plan for the future.“

Head teacher of Shiremoor Primary School., Helen Clegg-Hood OBE, said: “Planning Aid launched its North East initiative with young people here. We have never looked back. “

ENDS

For more information please contact Ben Lee, Planning Aid Communications and Public Affairs Officer, on (0207) 929 9479 or 07961 820 579.

Notes to editors

1. Last year the service provided planning advice and support to almost 38,000 individuals and groups across England.
2. Planning Aid England is delivered through a network of nine offices. In London, Wales and Scotland the service is delivered independently.
3. Last year help was provided nationally to almost 38,000 individuals in England. The Planning Aid England service is supported nationally by over 1,200 professionally qualified volunteers.
4. Planning Aid assistance is provided in two main ways:

• Casework – by providing help and advice to groups and individuals on a wide range of specific planning problems and opportunities.
• Community Planning – by giving training, support and information to help local community groups play an active part in planning their own areas.

1. Visit our new web site at www.rtpi.org.uk/planningaid.
2. Registered Office Address: Royal Town Planning Institute, 41 Botolph Lane, London EC3R 8DL. Registered Charity No. 262865.
3. RTPI: The Royal Town Planning Institute
   The RTPI is the largest professional institute for planners in Europe, with over 22,000 members who serve in government, local government and as advisors in the private sector. It is a charity with the purpose to develop the art and science of town planning for the benefit of the public as a whole. As well as promoting spatial planning, RTPI develops and shapes policy affecting the built environment, works to raise professional standards and supports members through continuous education, training and development.

Author:

Ben Lee

Publisher:

Planning Aid

Date:

21-Jul-10

Categories:

 

Sections:

News & Media

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