How can I learn about the planning in the UK?
Kimmie Walker is the Professional Development Officer at the RTPI
A frequent question we get asked from our members, is “How can I learn about planning in the UK?” This may be because they are seeking employment opportunities or looking to submit planning applications so that business opportunities can be expanded across our nations.
At the RTPI, we aim to provide our members with a variety of webinars and conferences, which are delivered through the Nations and Regions teams. These serve to provide knowledge and information across a range of subjects and are key to learning about all aspects of planning across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
We provide numerous Planning Law updates throughout the year which really assist with understanding many aspects of the planning system and help to explain the implementation and implications of the latest legislation. Key appeal and case law decisions are also unpacked, which may impact day to day practice and influence decision-making, as well as sessions focussing on mock inquiries.
Other webinars and conferences provide opportunities to gain technical knowledge and skills around areas such as Biodiversity Net Gain, Flood Risk, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems and Urban Design. Many of the conferences are now being organised as hybrid events, so that members can join virtually.
In addition, the RTPI’s Training team provide a Planning for Non-Planners masterclass. This provides a comprehensive overview of the key concepts and processes of the English planning system and how decision-making works.
This masterclass is suitable for people who are:
- Planning authority employees
- Stakeholders in planning decision-making and plan-making
- Professionals in any another sector with planning as part of their wider role
- Professionals in any other discipline who work with planners
- Administrators who support planners in the public, private and third sector
- Unqualified in planning disciplines and interested in how the planning system works
The full events list, including the masterclasses can be found here.
Other resources
In addition, other vital resources include:
- Reading the National Planning Policy Framework (England), National Planning Framework (Scotland), Strategic planning policy statements (Northern Ireland) and Planning Policy Wales.
- Reading the General Permitted Development Orders for each nation
- Read the Planner magazines for each nation.
- Learn about Biodiversity provisions, Legal Agreements and planning obligations and Community Infrastructure Levies
- Sign up to relevant planning blogs/podcasts
- Sign up to legal firms for updates and events and to receive weekly updates on key appeal and case law decisions.
The RTPI team in Scotland have also produced information on the planning system in Scotland.
There is of course, a wealth of information available on the Government websites as well as the Planning Portal including:
- Legislation (Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments) and
- Planning Policy, Good Practice Guides and circulars.
And finally, the RTPI’s Planning Aid England team provides a range of services and support to empower individuals and communities to engage in the planning process.
Planning Aid Scotland, Planning Aid Wales and Planning Aid for London also exist as separate charities delivering services in Scotland, Wales and London respectively. In Northern Ireland the not-for-profit organisation Community Places provides free planning advice
The RTPI is always seeking new opportunities for knowledge sharing. If you feel that you could contribute to the explanation of the various UK planning systems, then please do get in touch with your RTPI National or Regional manager, and the RTPI Training team.
