Apprenticeship Town Planning Support Staff Jobs

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As a town planning support staff, you will be supporting the management with the development of cities, towns, villages and the countryside. You will assist with planning, by helping to draw on the demands of housing, industrial development, agriculture, recreation, transport and the environment.

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FAQs

FAQs

What does a Town planning support staff do?

Your duties will include:

Assisting senior members of staff in the development of creative and original planning solutions to satisfy all parties
Attending meetings with stakeholders and other interested parties, making specific consultancy notes
Assessing planning applications and monitoring the outcomes
Responding to email enquiries and general queries from interested parties. E.g. stakeholders, surveyors and architects
Undertaking research for management, such as researching planning policies to guide the development of the plans
Analysing data to help inform strategic developments
Drafting design statements
Attending planning boards, appeals and public inquiries to support the management
Keeping up to date with legislation associated with land use
Undertaking relevant training on environmental education and awareness
Scheduling meetings for the management team
Ensuring that regular meetings are scheduled to discuss planning targets
Writing reports that make recommendations or explain detailed regulations

Skills & interests required for a Town planning support staff

Technical knowledge and competence
A logical and practical mind
Great communication skills
The ability to build lasting relationships
Good negotiation skills
The ability to analyse problems
Commercial awareness
Highly-motivated
IT proficiency
A driving licence

What hours does a Town planning support staff typically do?

Town Planning Support generally work a 35 - 40 hour week, working Monday - Friday during the usual office working hours. However, you may have to work longer hours than normal to attend evening meetings.

What environment is a Town planning support staff based in?

The large part of your working day will be spent on site, with the occasional time spent in an office.

How much does a Town planning support staff travel?

Travelling in the day is frequent, as you will need to meet with contractors to discuss technical documents or to visit clients.

How much does a Town planning support staff get paid?

Starting salaries for Town Planning staff can range from £22,000 to £26,000 per annum. With a few years' of experience, Building Surveyors can earn in the region of £28,000 to £50,000, and once you are chartered and at a senior level than you can earn up to £70,000.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has estimated that the average salary for the profession is £44,000.

Perks & benefits

Company car
Mobile phone
Pension

What qualifications does a Town planning support staff need?

Employers tend to ask for at least four GCSEs, including English and Maths. To gain technical membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) you'll need a minimum of two years of relevant work experience plus a recognised qualification.

Qualifications recognised by RTPO include:

NVQ/SVQ in Town Planning Support at Level 3
BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Planning
Certificate in Planning Studies
Certificate in Professional Development in Town Planning
The Planning Foundation Course
The Certificated Course Programme in Planning Enforcement