John Harrison

I have been associated with Planning Aid for many years and in fact worked for Planning Aid for London for a period. When Planning Aid England was restructured in 2011, I was asked if I could come into the office as a volunteer to assist with answering questions received by the Advice Line by phone and e-mail. (The Advice Line is the service under which members of the public are offered 15 minutes free advice from a planning professional).

The questions I get are generally development management queries and I usually manage them without too much difficulty as my planning background is very much development management and one of my jobs is editing “Forum”, “Planning” magazine’s development management “problem page”. Although I am qualified as a planner, not a lawyer, the way my career has developed has meant I have particular expertise in the legal side of development management which is put to good use in this role.

The way my career has developed has meant I have particular expertise in the legal side of development management which is put to good use in this role.

I normally come into the office once a month, but as I am semi-retired, if the office is hard pushed for reasons like staff annual holidays, I sometimes come in more often. I live just outside London so it is easy for me to get into the office and my travelling expenses are paid. The staff in the office appreciate my assistance and are very friendly.

I am grateful that I can assist Planning Aid England by volunteering in this way, using my expertise and background to help resolve some of the many and varied queries that come in to the Advice Line.

Interested in volunteering for Planning Aid England?

Please see our How to apply page.