Town planners are responsible for ensuring that urban land use meets the economic and social needs of the people who live and work in that area. To do this, they have to balance the demands placed on housing, jobs, transport, leisure and the environment, and make certain that any development is sustainable.

Town planners work for local authorities, independent planning consultancies, government departments and private companies. They carry out site appraisals, draw up planning briefs, coordinate projects and enforce planning controls. Projects can vary in scope and size from large-scale strategic planning to local domestic household planning issues. Types of work include:

Neighbourhood renewal – dealing with the redevelopment of housing and services within a particular district earmarked under an improvement scheme. This may include demolition, rebuilding and refurbishment of properties and amenities, and the redesign of street layout to improve public safety, control traffic and reduce crime.

Employment regeneration – attracting new businesses into an area to develop job opportunities.

Building preservation and land conservation – ensuring that historical buildings, archaeological sites or buildings and land of local significance are retained and restored for the community.

Transport networks – making the most efficient use of existing road, rail and tram networks, forecasting future demand on those networks and considering new transport construction plans.

Consultancy - representing individuals, groups or companies, assisting with planning applications or appeals, and negotiating on their behalf with relevant authorities.

An important aspect to the planning role is to collate and analyse the information required to arrive at a decision on proposals. This can include the use of surveying techniques, geographical information systems (GIS), computer-aided design work and use of data analysis software. Several scenarios may be investigated before advice is given to planning committees, government departments or individuals.

Town planners also commission feasibility studies and impact assessments to judge the potential effects of planning decisions on the social, economic and environmental make-up of an area.

Another key aspect to the role is liaison with local people and businesses through community organisations and public meetings to listen to ideas and concerns about proposed changes. They also work under the local political priorities of the moment, so planners have to be skilled negotiators and communicators.

Enforcement action against building or development which has gone ahead without planning permission is also carried out by planning officers.

Planners work with other professionals, such as surveyors and engineers. Where specific expert knowledge is required, outside specialist consultants may be employed.

Hours and Environment

Town planners in local government work 35 to 40 hours a week with some evening meetings for senior staff. Part-time and flexi-time may be available.

Those working for a consultancy firm may have variable hours, particularly if the work is in different parts of the country or abroad.

Most town planners are office-based but may need to travel to attend meetings or visit sites.

Skills and Interests

To be a town planner you should:

• have excellent communication, negotiating and presentations skills
• have a thorough knowledge of local planning policies and procedures
• be familiar with CAD software and GIS systems
• be able to undertake research and evaluate data
• have good organisational and time management skills
• be sensitive to different viewpoints and able to make objective judgements
• have good report writing skills
• be able to work as part of a team
• be willing to undertake professional development
• be able to deal with a wide variety of people.

Entry

The normal entry route is to follow a degree course accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or RTPI in Scotland. Subject areas include town and country planning, built environment, planning and architecture, civic design and environmental planning.

Minimum entry for a degree course is five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) with two A levels/three H grades. Subjects such as geography, economics and social sciences are particularly useful. Equivalent qualifications may be accepted.

An Access to Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

It is possible to move into town planning from a background in architecture, civil engineering or chartered surveying by taking an accredited postgraduate qualification.

A further option is to undertake the Joint Distance Learning Course, which is offered by the Open University (OU) in partnership with the Consortium of Planning Schools. The course is open to graduates and non-graduates and to those already working in a planning office but without the necessary qualifications to progress. For more details search for JDLC on the OU website in Further Information.

The RTPI and RTPI in Scotland have full details of approved degree, postgraduate and distance learning training courses. LG Careers has details of this role within local government. See Further Information for contacts.

Training

Once employed and a member of the RTPI, you are obliged to undertake a programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) throughout your career. This can include a mixture of study for higher level courses, for instance postgraduate degrees, research projects, conferences and technical workshops.

For details of CPD options, contact the RTPI and RTPI in Scotland in Further Information.

Opportunities

The majority of town planners are employed by the government and local authorities, although opportunities for work in other areas are increasing. Some large firms such as house-builders, supermarkets and utility companies employ planners to deal with their planning work. Planners also work for environmental and conservation charities. There are opportunities to work abroad.

Career progression can include movement into senior planning roles, coordinating area or regional policy and strategy or working for specialist consultants.

Training and experience as a town planner can open up job opportunities in careers such as industrial promotion, environmental management, urban design, recreation management, market research, property development, resource management and data processing.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Trainee town planners earn around £19,500 a year.
Newly qualified planners earn between £20,000 and £25,000.
With experience, this rises to between £25,000 and £33,000.
Town planners with team leader responsibilities can earn between £35,000 and £45,000.
Chief planning officers can earn up to £60,000.

Further information

57 Melville Street
Edinburgh
EH3 7HL
Tel: 0131 226 1959 41 Botolph Lane
London
EC3R 8DL
Tel: 020 7929 9494