A practical, day‑long programme giving students and early‑career planners a clear view of how private sector planning teams work day to day, from client briefs and project delivery to technical collaboration and commercial decision making. Hear honest reflections from practitioners, take part in hands‑on workshops, and see schemes on a guided site visit in Cambridge.
What to expect:
- Format: Short talks from private sector planners, interactive workshop sessions, and a guided walking tour/site visit to new developments in Cambridge.
- Speakers: A balanced panel of housebuilder, technical specialists (engineering and design), planning consultants, and land and development surveyors.
- Practical focus: Real project examples, client interaction scenarios, and step‑by‑step walkthroughs of how schemes progress from early discussions to determination.
- Logistics: In person at Savills office, Cambridge (address to be confirmed). CPD registration on arrival.
What you'll gain:
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Understand how private sector planning teams operate across different roles.
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Identify key responsibilities, workflows, and how services collaborate on projects.
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Experience planning in context through interactive workshops and a site visit.
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Build professional connections with private sector planners in an informal setting.
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Explore recruitment routes and early‑career pathways within the private sector.
This event is eligible for up to 6 hours of CPD and covers the following subjects from the core CPD framework::
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Development Management
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Professional Skills
Recommended for
Students, apprentices, graduates, and early‑career planners seeking practical insight into private sector planning roles, project workflows, and career pathways.
Take a look at our speakers below
Getting to the venue
Savills offices are in Botanic House, 98–100 Hills Road, Cambridge.
By train: Cambridge Railway Station is about a 15–20 minute walk from Hills Road / Botanic House (walking times vary by route). If you prefer public transport, frequent local buses run between the station and Hills Road.
By bus: The venue is served by multiple Stagecoach and local routes that stop on or near Hills Road (including routes shown on local timetables such as 1, 2, 3, 7 and X13). Check live timetables for the best route on the day.
By car: You’ll find several car parks nearby; please allow extra time for parking and walking to the venue. (We recommend checking Cambridge City Council car park locations before you travel.)
By taxi: Taxis can drop you off close to the Botanic House entrance on Hills Road, a short walk to reception.
Before you set off, it’s worth checking for any updates such as roadworks or temporary changes to bus services that might affect your journey.
Access and inclusion
We're committed to making sure everyone has a great experience at our events. Once you've booked, we'll get in touch to talk through any access needs or requirements you might have. If you have any questions in the meantime, just contact Fay Benton – we're here to help.
Tickets
We offer free tickets for carers and have a limited number of free or discounted tickets for those working in the public sector, students and those on low income/unemployed. Contact us to check availability.
If you wish to make a group booking, please contact Fay Benton.
Food and refreshments
We'll have welcome refreshments and lunch ready for you. We always provide vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, and we're happy to cater for other dietary requirements like Kosher or Halal meals – just let Fay Benton know.
Thank you to our sponsors for supporting the East of England Young Planners event and helping bring practical private‑sector planning insights to students and early‑career professionals.
