Mid Green occupationConstruction and the built environment
Town planning assistant
Work with, and provide technical and administrative support to chartered town planners.
Summary
This occupation is found in the planning, construction, architectural, infrastructure, environmental and local government sectors. Town Planning Assistants may work in local authorities, small consultancies, large multi-disciplinary consultancies, central government or other organisations undertaking planning work.. The broad purpose of the occupation is to work with, and provide technical and administrative support to Chartered Town Planners to deliver new developments and to shape and create sustainable places for the benefit of the public. They also help members of the public and/or clients to navigate the planning system and explain its rules and requirements. The work includes both office based work and site visits. Town Planning Assistants need to be willing and able to travel for site visits. Town Planning Assistants research and compile site history and undertake initial site analysis for developments including producing documentation and graphical representations as well as checking compliance with legislation and environmental designations. They assist Chartered Town Planners with community engagement and consultation and provide members of the public, clients and councillors with relevant planning advice. Town Planning Assistants manage a caseload of planning applications under supervision and support Chartered Town Planners to deliver projects. Town Planning Assistants who are Associate Members of the Royal Town Planning Institute must abide by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Code of Professional Conduct and ethical standards They must also abide by an Employer Code of Conduct.. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a range of both internal and external stakeholders such as Chartered Town Planners, developers and clients, as well as members of the public and local councillors. They also need to interact with specialists in a range of occupations including Architects, Surveyors, Building Control, Housing Officers, Urban Designers, Ecologists, Historic Environment Officers, Transport Planners and Landscape Architects. The role is varied, office based with meetings and visits on site.. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for their own work including undertaking preliminary research, initial analysis and interpretation of written policy documents, case law and planning legislation, and planning history of a site or area and making recommendations to Chartered Town Planners. They work under the supervision of Chartered Town Planners for more complex analysis and assessment work including writing reports and processing major planning applications. They are expected to manage their workload to set deadlines and work in accordance with health and safety and environmental considerations..
Typical job titles include
- Assistant Town Planner | Enforcement Assistant | Planning Assistant | Planning Support Officer | Planning Technician | Technical Support Officer | Town Planning Assistant | Town Planning Technician
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Legislation and Policy: The features of current town planning regulations, policy and guidance. Appreciation of the implications of case law for planning applications and statutory plan making
K2:
Planning Process: Forms of development management and development plans that happen in planning and their supporting administrative processes. How to respond to requests for technical information about proposals and planning issues.
K3:
Data collection: Where to find current and historical data on single sites and wider areas for development.
K4:
Environmental procedures and sustainability: The features of environmental and ecological designations and processes relevant to the planning system. Where to find information identifying potential flood risk for developments and matters such as energy and climate change.
K5:
Conservation and design: The features of the natural and historic environment that can be affected by developments and how they can and should be protected by the planning system. The features of technical constraints related to design.
K6:
Conditions, appeals and enforcement: The features of monitoring compliance of authorised and unauthorised developments and support the processing of planning appeals.
K7:
Stakeholder engagement: The wider decision making and political context in which planners work. Including the types and sizes of organisations working in planning, statutory authorities and other consultees, including the local community
K8:
Mapping and graphics: Map preparation and analysis including taking measurements from maps. Methods and techniques for creating and explaining graphical representations including specialist graphic tools and mapping technologies as appropriate, and taking site photographs.
K9:
Health and Safety: Responsibilities under health and safety legislation on safe working practices
K10:
Size and scale: How to assess the size and scale of developments and structures in relation to planning policy and impact on adjacent developments
K11:
Report writing: How to select and present information about policy constraints, site research and baseline analysis
K12:
Project Management: The requirements for projects, including timescales, deadlines, cost implications, and identifying milestones/targets
Technical Educational Products
- ST0936: Town planning assistant (Level 4) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0936
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £36,445 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 2452 Chartered architectural technologists, planning officers and consultants
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 2452/02 Town planning officers
- 2452/03 Urban designers
S1:
Data analysis: Research, collate and compare data relating to development proposals, applications and other planning considerations
S2:
Policy analysis: Apply legislation, local and national policy and regulations to projects and casework
S3:
Site analysis: Take and edit site photographs correctly, and take site visit notes accurately
S4:
Report writing: Write reports and summaries and prepare initial documentation for planning proposals and policy representations
S5:
Communication: Communicate effectively with members of the public, clients and other stakeholders. Respond to queries in writing and verbally. Use community engagement techniques to encourage participation in the planning system.
S6:
Casework: Process own casework of projects including checking planning documentation for completeness and taking action in response to missing documentation
S7:
Data monitoring: Consult, create and where necessary maintain records on relevant planning registers
S8:
Mapping: Create accurate drawings, maps and digital illustrations. Interpret drawings and maps, and use appropriate mapping tools
S9:
Presentation – internal: Discuss and present planning information, documentation and findings to colleagues
S10:
Presentation – external: Prepare and deliver presentations to external audiences e.g. members of the public or other community or professional stakeholders
S11:
Administration: Provide administrative support to line managers and peers. Keep an accurate record of meetings. Use appropriate case management systems.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0936: Town planning assistant (Level 4) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0936
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £36,445 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 2452 Chartered architectural technologists, planning officers and consultants
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 2452/02 Town planning officers
- 2452/03 Urban designers
B1:
Take care for their own health and safety
B2:
Reliability, integrity and respect for confidentiality on work related and personal matters, including appropriate use of social media and information systems. Follows their employers Code of Conduct.
B3:
Commitment to their own Continuing Professional Development
B4:
Work effectively both on their own and as part of a team
B5:
Demonstrate time management skills, prioritise workload, work under pressure and be able to meet critical deadlines
Technical Educational Products
- ST0936: Town planning assistant (Level 4) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0936
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £36,445 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 2452 Chartered architectural technologists, planning officers and consultants
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 2452/02 Town planning officers
- 2452/03 Urban designers
