Community planner
Community planners liaise with the community affected by a planning proposal.
They might be called on to advise a group of travellers on planning issues around the development of permanent caravan sites, or work with a community that wants to stop a major road being built.
Did you know?
Where once almost all trainee planners took up posts with local authorities, now 40% leave planning school and go into the private sector.
Facts and Figures
- Starting salary:
Around £20,000.
- Senior level salary:
Up to £40,000, although this is expected to increase greatly as private developers recruit more specialist staff.
- Education:
An accredited degree is recommended but people enter community planning with many different first degrees.
- Skills:
Community planners must be fully qualified chartered town planners with experience of working in a local authority on planning and development control.
- Likely employer type:
Planning Aid, local authorities, large developers.
- Opportunities:
Although a relatively new profession, it is expected there will be rapid growth, especially in the private sector. Planning Aid has received a significant increase in funding, and is recruiting.
- Number of professionals:
Planning Aid employs 50 and 750 volunteers. There may be a further 20-30 community planners in the local government and private sectors.
Meet a community planner
Helpful links
- Planning AidThe main employer of community planners
- CommunityPlanning.netComprehensive resource about community planning
- Planning Portal Government building and planning regulations resource
