Discover more about the councils who will employ Pathways to Planning graduates.
As a new graduate programme, Pathways to Planning will have two overlapping cohorts: Cohort 1, who will be starting work in spring 2024, and Cohort 2, who will be starting work in September 2024. Each cohort will have a distinct set of councils who will be employing graduate planners through the Pathways scheme.
All councils who take part in the Pathways to Planning programme have agreed to provide varied work experience, mentoring and support to their graduate planners. They will also provide time off work to study and a fully-funded postgraduate qualification in Planning. Salary and other employment terms will vary, but these will be completely outlined to candidates before you select where you would prefer to interview.
Cohort 2 council partners
North West
Starting salary: £24,000
Office location and flexible working: Carlisle or Whitehaven and flexible working – we operate a hybrid model at present
University course you intend to use: Newcastle or Manchester
Local Area: It's a great time to join Cumberland Council. We're a new council and so there's lots of opportunities to contribute towards making Cumberland a better place. We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic graduate who is keen to learn and develop a career within the Councils Planning team. The council is committed to staff development through a targeted support approach including coaching and mentoring as part of any work programme.
With an enviable location adjoining the Lake District National Park and with a fantastic mix of urban and rural environments Cumberland provides a great place to live and work.
Starting salary: £27,498
Office location and flexible working: Based at our offices in Kendal, with opportunities for hybrid working
Funded postgraduate qualification: Because of our location all universities require an element of travel. We will consider candidate preferences for courses including Leeds Beckett, University of Liverpool, University of Manchester or Newcastle University.
Our local area: This is an opportunity to grow your planning career in one of England’s most spectacular landscapes and world heritage sites. The Lake District National Park Authority is local and mineral planning authority for the entire national park. The Authority sets a local plan to balance the protection of this remarkable place with the needs of its communities, and handles all planning applications and enforcement in the national park. This makes the Lake District a fantastic and unique place to gain planning experience.
Please note that given our location, a full UK driving licence is a non-negotiable essential requirement to work with us.
Starting salary: £24,294 per annum
Office location: Lancaster Town Hall.
Funded postgraduate qualification: Liverpool University Master’s of Civic Design.
Our local area: We’re an award-winning, kind and responsible council, and we’re incredibly proud of our district and communities that reach from the coast to the mountains, including the historic City of Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth and many other beautiful places. The prospect of Eden North is a catalyst for the re-development of the seaside town of Morecambe and Canal Quarter has the potential to transform the City of Lancaster.
Yorkshire and Humber
Starting salary: £27,250 per annum
Office location: Based at Municipal Offices Grimsby.
Funded postgraduate qualification: Leeds Beckett.
Our local area: We’re different in North East Lincolnshire. We have a strong sense of community and a drive to make life better. Your earnings go further here with some of the best value house prices in the country, short commutes and great schools. Founded by Vikings, our area has a rich seafaring heritage and is now a global leader in food production, renewable energy and offshore wind. With beautiful landscapes, stunning beaches and a spectacular natural coastline, you’ll find your space in North East Lincolnshire.
East Midlands
Starting salary: £24,405. The post holder would then be eligible for two annual increments (the first up to £24,623 at 12 months and the second up to £25,657 at 24 months.
Office location and flexible working: Our offices are based in Clowne, Derbyshire. Having completed their induction, the postholder would be a hybrid worker who would be expected to split their time 50/50 between office and home working.
Funded postgraduate qualification: Sheffield Hallam University’s Degree Apprenticeship at Level 7 for the MSc in Urban Planning
Our local area: Bolsover District Council is an ambitious organisation that takes pride in delivering excellent services to our community whilst driving economic growth and environmental sustainability for the district. The District is located in the north east of Derbyshire and centres around the four main towns of Bolsover, Clowne, Shirebrook and South Normanton. The District has significant environmental, historic and cultural assets, such as Bolsover Castle, Creswell Crags and Hardwick Hall; and an ambitious growth agenda where we have excellent transport links and a good track record of housing and employment growth in recent years. The Council’s Planning Service has an important role to play in achieving the Council’s ambitions to become a dynamic, self-sufficient, and flexible Council that delivers excellent services, whilst adapting to local aspirations and acting as the economic and environmental driver for Bolsover District.
Starting salary: 24,294 (pay award pending)
Office location and flexible working: Derby City Council offices, Corporation Street, Derby. We offer flexible working on a flexitime basis and hybrid working is undertaken often for three or four days per week depending on need and office cover.
Funded postgraduate qualification: Being centrally located there is a choice of both Birmingham Universities and Sheffield Universities, plus Leeds Beckett University.
Our local area: Here at Derby City Council, we’re dedicated to delivering nearly 250 first-class services to citizens and businesses in the heart of the Midlands. People are at the centre of all that we do, and we have an outstanding track record of recruiting and developing talented individuals by providing them with varied and fulfilling career opportunities.
Starting salary: £31,364 (with progression at annual increments)
Office location and flexible working: We operate a hybrid system of home and office working.
Funded postgraduate qualification: University of Birmingham’s Chartered Town Planner Degree Apprenticeship.
Our local area: Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council lies on the border of the East and West Midlands and is well connected by major transport links to the cities of Leicester, Coventry and Birmingham and in an ideal location for commuting being close to major transport links of the M1, M6, M69, M42 and the A5.
The urban area is complemented by the historic market town of Market Bosworth. Much of the borough, especially in the centre and the west, is predominantly rural containing many very picturesque villages surrounded by rolling countryside. The borough has excellent cultural and leisure facilities to suit everyone and great visitor attractions like Twycross Zoo.
The main town of Hinckley boasts a lively centre with a wide range of national high street chains, lots of great independent shops and a well-established variety of restaurants, bars, coffee shops and a cinema. The borough council plays host to some globally significant high-tech companies and manufacturers due to its location and gives rise to many exciting opportunities for growth and investment.
Starting salary: TBC due to pay grade review.
Office location and flexible working: NNC have offices based in Corby, Kettering, Thrapston and Wellingborough (all in Northamptonshire). During the three year programme it will be expected that the employees might work out of each office for periods of time, dependent upon what part of the programme they are undertaking. The Planning Service is set up to work in a hybrid way and therefore there is an ability to work from home when appropriate.
Funded postgraduate qualification: We are open to considering any appropriate accredited course and will work with the employee to agree a course that is mutually acceptable. As examples, courses for consideration include: Birmingham City University – MA in Planning Built Environments; Oxford Brooks University – MSc in Spatial Planning; University of Hertfordshire - MSc Sustainable Planning.
Our local area: North Northamptonshire Council was formed in April 2021 through local government reorganisation in Northamptonshire. It is a large unitary authority serving a population of approximately 360,000 people across an area of almost 1,000 square kilometres. North Northamptonshire is a blend of large towns such as Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough, market towns such as Burton Latimer and Oundle and many quant villages set in picturesque countryside. It is well located, being less than an hour from London by train or Birmingham by car and in close proximity to a number of cities such as Leicester, Milton Keynes and Peterborough. North Northamptonshire is an area of high growth, both in terms of housing and employment. There are six sustainable urban extensions in different stages of progress that will deliver more than 27,000 new homes as well as employment, leisure and retail space and much green infrastructure too. Consequently, the Council’s Planning service is busy, dealing with 3,000 – 4,000 planning applications a year, which along with the development of the new Local Plan and other planning work, will provide a wealth and variety of planning experience for anyone joining on this programme.
Starting salary: £26,421
Office location and flexible working: Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG
University course you intend to use: TBC
Our local area: Nottingham City is one of the eight English Core Cities, so offers the opportunity to be involved in the full range of planning issues associated with a large urban area. The City centre is undergoing a period of rapid transformation, with key regeneration sites around the former Broad Marsh Centre, the Island Site and the station. In terms of a place to live, Nottingham offers an unparalleled quality of life, with the leisure and cultural opportunities of the vibrant City centre complemented by easy access to Sherwood Forest and the Peak District.
West Midlands
Starting salary: £26,357
Office location and flexible working: Offices in both Bromsgrove and Redditch town centres, with the ability to also work in an Agile manner.
Funded postgraduate qualification: Birmingham City University (Planning Built Environment MA) or Birmingham University (MSc Urban and Regional Planning)
Our local area: We are located in an attractive environment in north Worcestershire, whilst also being strategically sited for good access to Birmingham City centre. We operate a Shared Planning Service, so candidates will get to experience the areas, policies and administration of both Councils, whilst also working with experienced and supportive planning colleagues.
Starting salary: £30,296 (pay award pending)
Office location and flexible working: Shire Hall, Warwick (Hybrid) . We know how important it is to maintain a healthy work/life balance, particularly when you’re juggling your work and personal life. We’re flexible and know there are many ways to do a job well. We understand that people work differently so we ensure that you can work and grow in a way that suits you.
Funded postgraduate qualification: MSc in Urban and Regional Planning attained via Chartered Town Planning L7 Apprenticeship.
Our local area: Warwickshire itself is a beautiful county with many cultural attractions and several wonderful towns. Due to being right in the middle of the country, Warwickshire is also very well connected to other towns and cities, with direct train services from most towns to Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull, Oxford and London, plus easy access to several motorways including the M40 and the M6. Due to its thriving economy, wonderful towns and countryside, and the transport links, Warwickshire is a highly sought-after place to live.
Starting salary: £28,948 - £35,348 per annum (career graded post).
Office location and flexible working: Wyre Forest House, Kidderminster and hybrid working possible (currently 2 days per week in the office).
Funded postgraduate qualification: University of Birmingham MSC in Urban and Regional Studies.
Our local area: The area has three main towns with the rest of the area predominantly rural. We are currently experiencing high levels of housing development following adoption of our Local Plan in 2022 and have economic growth and regeneration as one of our three corporate priorities so there would be a variety of learning opportunities available for a graduate. We provide essential services which make a real difference to residences’ lives. We value our employees and aim to create a positive, progressive and supportive work culture that enables everyone to thrive.
London
Starting salary: £33,957 per annum.
Office location and flexible working: Colindale, 2 Bristol Avenue. We require two days a week office attendance (Tuesday and Wednesday) minimum with home working on other days.
Funded postgraduate qualification: London South Bank University Level 7 Apprenticeship or the University of Westminster: to be confirmed.
Our local area: Barnet is a multicultural hub in London, it is safe, welcoming, has wonderful pubs and excellent links for travel into central London whilst boasting over 200 parks and open spaces, many with tennis courts, 11 outdoor gyms and a nature reserve. Barnet Council is located in a new office block, minutes from Colindale station, close to the RAF museum. We have a great team, with a real focus on support and personal development.
Starting salary: £35,740
Office location and flexible working: Guildhall City of London. Working in the office 3 days per week or as required, flexitime offered.
University course you intend to use: London South Bank University Chartered Town Planning Degree Apprenticeship Chartered Town Planner Apprenticeships | London South Bank University (lsbu.ac.uk)
Local Area/council: why it is amazing to live and work – The City of London is the world’s leading financial centre with world class architecture and world class heritage. We deal with some of the most high-profile development in the UK, are leaders in planning policy and guidance as well as being the 2023 RTPI National Planning Authority of the Year. But we are also moving into the future with the City utilising our strong planning pipeline to become a visitor, cultural and leisure destination
Starting salary: We would anticipate that the role would support a graduate through a part time Masters so the starting salary would be at career grade planner level (currently £37,575). Progression through the salary range to the top of the scale (currently £51k) is then on acquisition of relevant qualifications and experience.
Office location and flexible working: The role would be based at Islington Town Hall, Upper Street Islington. Officers are required to be in the office on 2 allocated days a week with the other days working from home.
University course you intend to use: We intend to use one of the following courses:
University of Westminster:
• MA in Urban or Regional Planning
• MA International Planning and Sustainable development.
University College London:
• Mplan City Planning
• Msc Spatial Planning
• Msc International City Planning
• Msc in Urban Design and City Planning
• Msc International Real Estate and Planning
• Msc Urban Regeneration (where fully accredited)
Our local area: Islington is a small but very diverse borough. It is both a gateway to the commercial heart of the city and to the suburbs, and the varied character of the borough reflects this. It is a popular place to live and visit and is valued for both its distinctive historic and contemporary built environment. As a borough we offer excellent benefits such as up to 31 days leave per year, a range of flexible working arrangements, competitive pay, annual season ticket loan, Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships. We are an inclusive and supportive workplace and also offer a development programme to support continued learning and development.
Starting salary: £34,770.00 including London weighting. Salary would increase to £35,862.00 over the 3-year study period.
Office location and flexible working: Lambeth Civic Centre, 6 Brixton Hill, London. The Council operates a flexible working schedule where all officers are required work in the office at least one day every week and work from home the rest of the week.
Funded postgraduate qualification: UCL Bartlett MSc Spatial Planning.
Our local area: Lambeth is offering an exciting new opportunity to combine study towards a Masters in Spatial Planning with professional growth through working within the Climate and Inclusive Directorate comprising the Development Management, Planning Enforcement, Policy and Place Shaping, Sustainability and the Area Regeneration teams. The officer will be based in the Civic Centre building in Brixton, one of our many diverse and vibrant town centres. The academic progression will span 3 years and in that time the officer will be stretched and challenged to practically apply their learning by working on critical projects across all teams that comprise the directorate. Lambeth is a vibrant central London borough, offering a wide and varied range of work for those looking to excel in the planning sector and add meaningful, prestigious experience to their career. We are a popular, urban Borough that attracts iconic projects by international developers and world-class architects, focused on creating the best community-minded projects in the UK. Lambeth has a fantastic variety of areas stretching from prominent riverside locations in the north such as Waterloo/South Bank and Vauxhall, lively, diverse town centres at the heart of the Borough such as Brixton and Clapham, through to the more suburban town centres of Streatham and West Norwood in the south. Lambeth’s priorities are inclusive growth, climate change mitigation and adaptation, reducing inequality and shaping sustainable, high-quality places and neighbourhoods. In practice, this means a consistent focus on creating the best places for people to live and work.
East of England
Starting salary: £24,000 per annum
Office location and flexible working: Our office is based in Brentwood, a 10 minute walk from the rail station with frequent bus services into London and beyond. The recently refurbished Town Hall has an open plan layout and ‘clear desk’ policy. All members of staff are allocated a laptop and can work from home as well as being encouraged to work in the office environment. Flexible working hours encourages staff to utilise their time efficiently and help strike a good work/life balance while meeting the needs of the service.
Funded postgraduate qualification: TBC
Our local area: Brentwood Council has a strong team ethic and support culture, with focus on well being and inclusivity. The borough is an enviable mix of rural countryside along with attractive anchor high streets in the main settlements, historic and beautiful buildings along with both open and vast wooded landscape. It is set on the fringes of London, with good transport connections, being adjacent to the M25 and A127 / A12 as well as being located on the Elizabeth railway line. It has an enthusiastic senior management team keen to support new development in the right places and drive through improvements that affect the lives of its residents, such as zero carbon social housing; along with sustainable leisure and health facilities, with the planning service playing a pivotal part in its success.
Information will be provided in due course.
Starting salary: £25,155
Office location and flexible working: Our office is in the Civic Offices, Borehamwood. The Council operates a hybrid working system where employees may work up to two days per week from home.
Funded postgraduate qualification: London South Bank University, University of Hertfordshire
Our local area: Hertsmere lies within southern Hertfordshire bordering the northern edge of Greater London. We have a unique combination of economic opportunities alongside a diverse townscape, villages and extensive areas of green belt land, meaning the borough provides an exciting opportunity to experience every aspect of the planning system. The Council Offices are situated in Borehamwood within Zone 6 and with a direct rail link into London Kings Cross St. Pancras. The area is an internationally renowned centre for film and television production, home to BBC Elstree and Elstree Studios (a council owned asset) and the brand new Sky Studios.
Starting salary: £26,000
Office location and flexible working: Hybrid working model with some days in the office and some days working from home.
Funded postgraduate qualification: Anglia Ruskin University Chartered Town Planner Level 7 apprenticeship
Our local area: Ipswich is the oldest town in England but is also one of the fastest growing regional centres, thousands of homes (including a Sustainable Urban Extension of 3,500 homes at Ipswich Garden Suburb) and jobs are planned for the area and a strong focus on regenerating the historic town centre and Waterfront.
Join a team that’s on the move! Ipswich Borough Council’s Planning Department is on an exciting expansion journey, and we’re looking for dynamic, ambitious Planners to join our Department to help deliver positive outcomes for the residents of Ipswich.
Starting salary: £28,536
Office location and flexible working: King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn. Flexible working – one work from home day, three days in the office, one university study day (reviewed on an individual basis).
Funded postgraduate qualification: London South Bank University or University of Westminster.
Our local area: We are a large borough with diverse landscapes ranging from the Norfolk Coast AONB in the north, to the Fens and the Brecks in the South. This gives you the opportunity to be involved with rural issues and urban regeneration, and coastal planning as well as major developments proposed within the main towns of King’s Lynn, Downham Market and Hunstanton. West Norfolk provides a beautiful environment in which to live and work with the council offices based in King’s Lynn, a medieval town and port with an outstanding conservation area.
We offer an in-house training programme for new graduates in practical development management as well as provide support and mentoring through the formal post graduate apprenticeship training programme. Graduates would be located in one of two teams dealing with the North and South of the Borough with opportunities to become involved in projects with other sections/departments of the council relating to planning, housing and regeneration.
Starting salary: £30,262
Office location and flexible working: Hybrid working at home and in the office
Funded postgraduate qualification: London South Bank, UCL, Westminster and dependent on the location of the candidate, Oxford Brookes and Anglia Ruskin
Our local area: North Hertfordshire is a large rural district with approximately 125,000 residents with four historic towns, Hitchin, Baldock, Royston and Letchworth Garden City and many villages of varying scales, identity, and characteristics. Much of the District is made up of beautiful rural countryside embracing parts of the Chilterns AONB. The Council has a clear vision: to make North Hertfordshire a district in which everyone who lives, works or visits is able to flourish. The Council has just adopted its new Local Plan and the Council’s planning service is growing; this is an exciting time for an experienced planning professional to join our Strategic Planning Team. As well as helping to implement the adopted Local Plan, you will take a role in shaping and directing the next review of the Plan. This will shape the future of the District over the period to the early 2040s in the context of our declared climate emergency and an evolving planning system.
Starting salary: £24,000 per annum
Office location and flexible working: Our office is based in Rochford, Essex, a five minute walk from rail station on the London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria Line. We are currently operating a hybrid model of working, which enables our employees to work smarter, focusing on the importance of physical connections to meet the needs of those we provide services for, whilst balancing that with the ability to work remotely. Our employees are provided with the resources to be able to work in this way effectively and are provided with a laptop to do so.
Funded postgraduate qualification: TBC
Our local area: Rochford is a District in south east Essex, a beautiful, scenic area bounded by the River Crouch to the north. We see the District as a place that has many strengths; an environment characterised by substantial areas of attractive countryside; a rich heritage; strong and vibrant communities with a local economy that is growing in stature assisted by the London Southend Airport and the development opportunities nearby. Rochford District Council delivers a wide range of high quality services and is committed to ensuring that our residents and businesses remain at the heart of all we do.
Starting salary: Circa £24,000 – £28,000
Office location and flexible working: Thurrock Council, Civic Offices. Thurrock Borough Council offers flexible working arrangements. Within the planning team we expect officers to attend the office a minimum of two days per week, however there is opportunity for more attendance.
University course you intend to use: Masters in Planning (MRPTI) – location to be confirmed but preferred will be one of the London University or immediate surrounds of London.
Our local area: Thurrock Borough Council offers the opportunity to work in a fast paced unitary planning authority. Operating on the edge of London you will experienced a mixed caseload akin to a London Borough but with challenges that are also experienced in more rural and port locations. This will ensure that you get a true breath of planning experience. The authority is on course with its transformation journey as part of its intervention status, this will also give you valuable experience of working in an authority moving through intervention.
Starting salary: from £26,421
Office location and flexible working: Saffron Walden, Stansted and Little Canfield. Flexible working available including nine day fortnight but need to be available to speak to people in office hours and do site visits. Hybrid – officers mainly work from home but do need to attend the Saffron Walden offices fortnightly and for specific meetings/training etc
Funded postgraduate qualification: London South Bank Level 7 apprenticeship, providing an MA Chartered Town Planner, or Anglian Ruskin (Chelmsford) from Level 7 apprenticeship, providing an MSc Chartered Town Planner.
Our local area: A great place to live and work, vast rural areas, listed buildings, an international airport as well as quaint villages and large strategic housing and commercial sites. It has a breadth of experience waiting to be discovered and they will be working with amazing, caring and sharing colleagues.
South West
Starting salary: £27,334
Office location and flexible working: Our office is based in Honiton and we also facilitate home working for part of the week.
Funded postgraduate qualification: University of Plymouth’s Chartered Town Planning Degree Apprenticeship which offers an MSc in Town Planning.
Our local area: East Devon is a beautiful part of the country with in-land market towns and coastal resorts sat within a nationally important landscape and the Jurassic coast. These provide a wonderful environment for recreation whether that be walking, cycling, water sports or the beach. We also sit next to the bustling and historic city of Exeter with excellent transport links whether by road, rail or through Exeter International Airport. We have an exciting growth agenda including Cranbrook new town, an enterprise zone and a second new town that seek to meet the growth needs of the district while protecting what makes it such a special place to live and work. We are a modern, friendly and forward-looking council with big plans.
Starting salary: £26,000
Office location and flexible working: Two days per week in the office, ideally more. Options for flexible working.
Funded postgraduate qualification: Either Msc Part-time - Planning - University of Plymouth or MSC Urban Planning UWE Bristol.
Our local area: Exeter is a vibrant historic city that is in close proximity to Devon’s stunning coastline and picturesque countryside, which offers an unparalleled work-life balance that is hard to find elsewhere. As part of the Exeter City Council’s Planning Department, you'll have the opportunity to help shape the city as it grows as a thriving regional hub.
Starting salary: £24,660 per annum.
Office location and flexible working: Our office is based in Gloucester and we operate an agile working environment so we will be flexible based on the needs of the role and the individual.
Funded postgraduate qualification: University of the West of England RTPI accredited Masters.
Our local area: There’s so much to discover and enjoy here in Gloucestershire. The perfect combination of the great outdoors, picture-perfect scenery, arts, culture, sport, socialising, and great shopping. The county is strategically well-placed to. It has swift, direct connections to London, the South East and the Midlands, and is recognised as the gateway to the South West. Built on heritage, and driven by innovation, Gloucestershire is rapidly becoming a hub for the new green economy with exciting expertise in digital communications, advanced engineering, and agri-tech. Working for Gloucestershire County Council offers a unique chance to be part of this success story. Supporting local communities and partnering with others, you’ll be able to positively influence the lives of local people and the environment. Furthermore, in a dynamic, supportive, and nurturing workplace, there’s every opportunity to take control, manage change, and do career-defining work.’
Starting salary: £26,445 per annum
Office location and flexible working: Our office is based in Lyndhurst, New Forest. Hybrid working will be available, normally 50 per cent of your working week.
Funded postgraduate qualification: Oxford Brookes University MSc Spatial Planning (preferred course, open to discussion based on the graduate’s location).
Our local area: One of the largest district council areas in the country, New Forest combines the beautiful and varied natural environment of a national park and coastline with thriving market towns. It’s consistently ranked among the most desirable places to live in the country with the park at its heart and the majority of its 170,000 residents located on the periphery. We have the Solent Freeport which includes Fawley Waterside, one of the south east’s largest brownfield developments. We also deliver homes as a Council and work hard to meet the housing challenges in the area.
With our main office based in Lyndhurst in the heart of the stunning New Forest National Park, New Forest District Council (NFDC) is an excellent place to work and thrive.
For further information on our amazing place, and why it’s a great place to work, please check out our website newforest.gov.uk/jobs
Starting salary: From £26,000 per annum.
Office location and flexible working: Our offices are located at Lynton House, in Barnstaple Town Centre. North Devon Council operates a hybrid working policy; whereby employees are expected to work a minimum of one day a week at the office. However, they can come in everyday if they prefer. All equipment required for working from home will be provided.
Given our location, a full UK driving licence is an essential requirement for this role.
Funded postgraduate qualification: University of the West of England - Chartered Town Planner Degree (Level 7) Apprenticeship
Our local area: One of the best things about working for North Devon is the opportunity to work and make a real difference to one of the most beautiful parts of the county. North Devon has some of the UK’s best award winning beaches for all kind of water sports, especially surfing, and on the doorstep of Exmoor National Park. A great location to gain and maintain a healthy work – life balance.
Starting salary: £26,421
Office location and flexible working: The office base would be one of the Council offices in Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater or Shepton Mallet but employees are able to work from any office, and from home, as the needs of the role allows.
Funded postgraduate qualification: University of the West of England, Chartered Town Planner Level 7 Apprenticeship.
Our local area: Somerset Council promotes positive organisational values, has an inclusive workplace culture, professional development programs, and its employees can have a positive impact on the local community. Somerset Council offers initiatives to support the wellbeing of its workforce and a healthy work/life balance. Somerset boasts picturesque landscapes of the Mendips and Quantocks and historic landmarks such as Glastonbury Abbey and Wells Cathedral. The county provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities including hiking and seaside experiences on the coast.
Somerset is well-connected to larger cities such as Bristol, Exeter, and Bath providing cultural experiences and entertainment. Somerset is famous for its cider, cheese, and farm-fresh produce, contributing to a vibrant culinary scene.
Starting salary: £24,000
Office location and flexible working: Hybrid flexible working (office in Yate and home)
Funded postgraduate qualification: UWE Urban Planning – Under-Graduate or Post-Graduate (depending on experience)
Our local area: South Gloucestershire is recognised as 'a great place to live and work' with its rich heritage, beautiful environment, and attractions. South Gloucestershire Council values their staff and career development, to help make a long-term difference at work and provide flexible working to support a good work/life balance. The Council Plan key priorities set out to build and shape communities which people are proud of, plan for the future through building and improving roads, railways, schools, green spaces and houses and providing essential services.
South East
Starting salary: Minimum £28,000 (exact salary TBC)
Office location and flexible working: We have agile working allowing which enables our employees to work from home for the majority of their working week (up to 80%) if they wish, but this does not mean that you cannot come into our offices more frequently if you would rather work in an office environment.
University course you intend to use: London South Bank University, Chartered Town Planning Level 7 apprenticeship
Our local area: Bracknell in Berkshire, and has excellent transport links to London. Our main Council offices are located within Bracknell town centre, within 5 minutes’ walk of the bus and train station and our thriving regenerated town centre – The Lexicon.
At Bracknell Forest Council we are committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. We want everyone that works for us to feel that their individuality is respected, and their unique contributions are valued. Our Values are; Inclusive, Ambitious and Always Learning and these underpin everything we do.
Starting salary: £29,000
Office location and flexible working: Bishops’ College, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. Flexible/remote working two days per week, office three days per week
Funded postgraduate qualification: MA Urban and Regional Planning, Westminster University
Our local area: Broxbourne is in south-east Hertfordshire, providing easy access into London and out into the countryside. Working out of our newly refurbished offices and based primarily in planning policy but with an opportunity to gain experience across a wide range of planning roles and types of development, this position offers the right candidate an exceptional start to their career in planning.
Starting salary: £28,748
Office location and flexible working: Bodicote House, Banbury with hybrid working option.
Funded postgraduate qualification: Oxford Brookes, Masters in Spatial Planning (apprenticeship levy route)
Our local area: Joining Cherwell District Council is more than just a job; it's an opportunity to be part of a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation dedicated to supporting its staff and positively impacting the community. Valuing innovation, collaboration, and professional development, you can work on meaningful cutting-edge projects. We are the ideal place for you to thrive. Planning and Development is at the heart of the Council’s priorities and objectives. Whether it’s high quality place making, meeting our development needs, or preparing policy for climate action and environmental improvement, there is an opportunity to work with teams from across the Council and with our partners and communities.
Starting salary: £26,421
Office location and flexible working: The post will primarily be office based at Gosport Town Hall with options for an element of home working at the manager’s discretion. As a trainee post it is considered that the officer would benefit most by being in the office environment.
University course you intend to use: This is likely to be South Bank University London as this has been the location for previous trainee posts. However we will give the option for candidates to seek other courses if within a reasonable distance
Our local area: Gosport is located on the western side of Portsmouth Harbour overlooking the Spinnaker Tower and the Historic Dockyard as well as enjoying a seaside frontage on the Solent. The Borough offers a high quality of life with one of the densest collection of historic buildings outside of London. As a planner you will have the opportunity to work on a number of complex regeneration sites creating high quality places for residents, visitors and businesses. We have recently completed a successful Heritage Action Zone and High Street Heritage Action Zone programme and have recently been awarded Levelling-Up Funding to regenerate Gosport’s historic waterfront. The Council itself is small, friendly and ambitious.
Information will be provided in due course.
Starting salary: £29,017
Office location and flexible working: Maidstone House, Maidstone. At Maidstone Borough Council we recognise the importance of flexible working and the benefits this can bring to both our staff and the Council. We know that by offering employees a range of flexible working opportunities we can positively impact their wellbeing and engagement, and drive productivity in return. As such we have developed a highly flexible hybrid working policy, alongside our flexi time and flexible working policies, enabling staff to shape their working patterns around building a greater work life balance.
Funded postgraduate qualification: TBC
Our local area: Maidstone Borough Council is a confident organisation with ambition and aspirations to deliver high quality services to our residents and local businesses. We strive to make the borough an attractive place for all and secure a successful economy. We continue to build on our strengths - assets, knowledge and expertise and our track record for innovation and improvement to create a financially sustainable future so that we can continue with our undiminished plans.
We will only achieve the results we are aiming for through the talents and hard work of all our people. You are encouraged to become part of our vision and in return you can expect support, training, and fair reward from us. We will give you the opportunity to develop the skills to do your job well and create a positive working environment where your ideas about improving how we do things are valued and we manage the changes needed for new ways of working well.
Starting salary: £24,000
Office location and flexible working: Office location: Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth, Herts, WD3 1RL / Flexible Working: Current policy is 1 day in the office a week, minimum, although at the start there is a strong preference for this to be subject to line manager agreement (likely 2/3 days in the office a week to enable greater support to new starter).
Funded postgraduate qualification: London South Bank
Our local area: Three Rivers District Council is a high-achieving organisation at the leading edge of public services. The Development Management service achieves excellent results and continues to strive for excellence with investment in the development of the service. Staff and ICT are central to our continuing success. On the fringe of London, the District is experiencing significant development pressure, with a huge variety of planning application types and sizes. The District has a varied built and natural environment including 22 conservation areas, numerous listed buildings and a large number of designated wildlife sites. Much of the District is within the Metropolitan Green Belt and part is within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We promote the highest standards of design through negotiation and proactive work.
Starting salary: £27,372
Office location and flexible working: Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Town Hall, St Ives Rd, Maidenhead SL6 1RF. Hybrid Working- part home working/ part office working – must be able to visit sites across the Borough requires driving licence and access to a vehicle. The division between home working and office working will be determined by the Team Manager/Deputy Head of Planning – Anticipate at least 2/3 days a week in the borough including site visits.
Funded postgraduate qualification: Oxford Brookes (but if not places available it could be UCL; Westminster or South Bank)
Our local area: The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead consists of towns and villages that are strategically located in the heart of the Thames Valley on the M4 corridor on the edge of London. With Easy access to London, and beyond, using the Elizabeth Line, and GWR. The Borough takes you from Wind in The Willows to the Crown. It has it all -complex urban areas; nationally renowned heritage assets and beautiful countryside. There is a supportive Planning – Development Management team of 35 officer, that works collaboratively with the Planning Policy Team to deliver excellent planning services to the Borough.
Wales
We will have up to five places available in Wales for cohort 2. Final locations will be confirmed closer to the time and candidates’ preferences will be involved in selecting those who take part.
Starting Salary: £24,000
Office location and flexible working: Tredomen Business Park, Ystradmynach, Caerphilly. Flexible working arrangements include flexitime and home working. Staff are required to attend the office at least one a week but the post holder will be required to work from the office initially for support and guidance.
University and Course: Cardiff University MSc Spatial Planning and Development
Our local area: With Caerphilly Castle at its heart the Authority boasts a rich historic environment and has an ambitious regeneration agenda and Council house building programme which is underpinned by sound placemaking principles. The postholder will initially be provided with the opportunity to gain development management experience at each stage of the process, including the validation of applications, and will be responsible for the management of a personal caseload of planning and/or enforcement cases, pre-application enquiries and any related appeals. There will also be an opportunity to gain experience working on the Caerphilly CBC 2nd Replacement Local Development Plan as it progresses through to Deposit stage and to work alongside the Councils Placemaking and Heritage Officers on the delivery of key housing and Town Centre regeneration schemes. This placement therefore will provide the successful postholder with the opportunity to gain valuable experience working in a busy Local Planning Authority and contribute to the necessary experience required for the RTPI’s Assessment of Professional Competence.
Starting Salary: £24,000
Office location and flexible working: Carmarthen offer flexible working pattern based on a 37:00 week. Remote working is a minimum of two days in the office with three days at home.
University and Course: Cardiff University MSc Spatial Planning and Development
Our local area: A county of contrasts, Carmarthenshire is characterized by its stunning coastline, rolling landscapes, mountains, awe-inspiring castles, market towns, and post-industrial urban areas, making it an attractive, rewarding, and diverse place to live, work, and explore. Working for Carmarthenshire County Council is with a supportive and welcoming employer, and its planning team provides an exceptional workplace with a varied workload and a one-team approach. Enriching challenges and a supportive environment foster professional growth.
Starting Salary: £29,269
Office location and flexible working: The role is predominantly remote with expectations that the employee would be in the office for the first week and then 1 day per week thereafter.
University and Course: Cardiff University MSc Spatial Planning and Development
Our local area: Ceredigion is a beautiful county in West Wales with rolling hills and a rugged coastline where a true work life balance can be found. The planning department are a close-knit team where everyone has the opportunity to develop their interests, rural planning issues dominate and an interesting mix of cases and policy formation exists from agricultural diversification to renewable technology.
Starting Salary: £24,500
Office location and flexible working: Coed Pella, Colwyn Bay. The council offers hybrid working. Candidates will be expected to be in the offices 1-2 days a week with the remainder working from home.
University and Course: Manchester University – MSC Planning/MSC in Urban Design and International Planning OR Liverpool University – Town and Regional Planning.
Our local area: Conwy County is an area of outstanding landscape ranging from extensive sandy beaches and headlands to sheltered valleys and rugged mountains. Along the coastline there are a number of towns providing a range of attractions and businesses, heritage is important within the County, in addition to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Conwy we have 25 Conservation Areas, and over 1642 listed buildings. The diverse environment leads to a diverse range of different types of applications. The Council offers a wide range of staff rewards and benefits. We aim to make all staff feel welcome, supported and valued, and equip them with the tools they need to do their job well. Whilst at work you can expect a support network in the form of your colleagues to work through new ideas, celebrate success and address issues we face together. Conwy has a workforce in its thousands operating a vast range of services. Services are broken down into sections and departments and each of those has a team. Because of this, each team has their own unique dynamic, bringing together shared attitudes, values, interests and goals. In a recent survey we asked our staff how much they value our team culture. The responses were individual, but there was a common theme. Here’s what one person said: “Everyone was so welcoming and they made sure to include me in social events, which helped me get to know the team. I can’t ask much more from them, everyone is really supportive!”
Starting Salary: £24,000 with potential incremental rises
Office location and flexible working: Hybrid working pattern, that officers attend office 2 times a week on average. But new starters or those requiring more training, may find it more beneficial to attend the office more regularly. We offer flexible working hours, and the ability to accrue hours to take up to 2 additional flexi days off a flexi-period.
University and Course: Cardiff University MSc Spatial Planning and Development
Our local area: Do you want to be a part of our growing team to help create a greener more sustainable future for Neath Port Talbot? We are delivering the next generation of renewable energy with a combination of onshore windfarms, hydrogen generation and solar. The development of sustainable communities is also critical to the future of Neath Port Talbot as we need sufficient numbers of homes to accommodate the growing economy. Neath Port Talbot is often perceived to be the industrial heartland of South Wales and whilst we are proud of our industrial heritage we have far more to offer. This beautiful part of south Wales is located between the cities of Swansea and Cardiff, close to the Gower Peninsula and the Brecon Beacons. Valleys and waterfalls, rivers and coastline provide a backdrop for many activities including walking, mountain biking and surfing. With over 140,000 residents and service users, this is a thriving area, rich in history, but with eyes fixed firmly on the future.
Starting Salary: £24,702
Office location and flexible working: Civic Centre, Newport – the team work flexibly and in an agile/hybrid manner as per their and the business needs. Typically, this means that staff are in one-to-two days a week, but this can be more if desired. At the outset we would anticipate the new planner would be in full-time for the first six months with officer support at all times in the office and then introducing agile working as confidence / knowledge increases.
University and Course: Cardiff University MSc Spatial Planning and Development
Our local area: Newport is a city with a rich heritage and a clear vision for growth and development. An ambitious transformation programme has seen us evolve from traditional industries to a hub for tech-focussed excellence. Our regeneration plans are creating a 24/7 city centre with a sustainable mix of residential, retail and leisure. Newport boasts a strategic location on the M4, direct rail links to major cities and Wales’ leading general cargo port. Newport is a city on the rise and has ambitious growth and regeneration ambitions. Alongside this, the city is also home to beautiful countryside (with statutory environmental protection such as SSSI, SACs and a National Nature Reserve) and numerous heritage assets (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) providing a diverse environment to work and live in. The Planning and Development department in Newport is close-knit and we are lucky to have a good team who are willing to support and help each other out. We employ student planners so already have an excellent support/ mentoring framework in place for new recruits. We’re also a big advocate of flexible working and we work in an agile, hybrid manner to ensure a positive work-life balance.
Starting Salary: £24,702
Office location and flexible working: Llanion, Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire. The council offers two days in office, three days at home.
University and Course: Cardiff University MSc Spatial Planning and Development
Our local area: This post involves working for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. As the only coastal National Park in the UK we are fortunate to work in an incredibly beautiful location with some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in Britain, and has a wealth of history with significant historic environment assets including castles, ancient monuments and Listed Buildings. The Authority itself runs Carew Castle and Castell Henllys Iron Age Village. The Planning team has a key role to play in balancing the complex demands of delivering sustainable development that meets the competing demands often at play when balancing environment, tourism and community needs including housing and affordable housing. This of course is all taking place in the context of a changing climate and the Authority has a key role to play in managing coastal erosion in specific locations. The planning team is a small but tight knit team offering a strong sense of community and is very welcoming. The Authority has a strong record of supporting new entrants into planning and is committed to supporting continued professional development through regular team training sessions.
Starting Salary: £25,979
Office location and flexible working: The Council operate an office/home working pattern. The flexibility of this pattern would depend on the requirements of the specific section of the planning department and how long the graduate has been employed (e.g. initially there would be a requirement to meet face to face in the office/out on site more often). Although flexible, planning/enforcement officers usually work two days in the office and three from home.
University and Course: Cardiff University MSc Spatial Planning and Development or University of the West of England (Bristol) MSc Urban Planning
Our local area: Torfaen is in a prime location with the Brecon Beacons National Park, Cardiff, Newport and Bristol easily accessible by a range of transport modes. It is probably best known as the location of the Blaenavon Industrial World Heritage Site and Cwmbran (the first and only designated new town in South Wales). Torfaen has a varied landscape and topography which provides wide ranging and often complex planning related challenges. Therefore, planning officers, deal with different, interesting, and often thought-provoking scenarios which ultimately result in rewarding outcomes both personally and for the residents (and visitors) of Torfaen. The planning department has an excellent mix of highly experienced chartered town planners and young officers who have either recently obtained chartered membership or are just about to commence this process. It is an extremely friendly, enthusiastic, customer focused and helpful department. All officers and support staff would ultimately advise/guide/assist in the professional development of the graduate.
Starting Salary: £24,000
Office location and flexible working: Lambpit Street – hybrid generally three days office and two days site/home. As this is a trainee post, there will be an emphasis on office working in order to ensure an appropriate level of support and mentoring.
University and Course: Liverpool University, (MCD) Town and Regional Planning
Our local area: Wrexham is Wales’ newest city with a global profile due to the resurgence of the football club under the stewardship of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. It has huge potential for growth and regeneration with a £20m Long Term Town Fund and an £160m Investment Zone recently secured. With several exciting regeneration projects already underway and others in the pipeline, there will be plenty to keep the successful candidate busy and inspired! Beyond work, Wrexham is a very friendly and safe place to live. It has recently been voted as one of the top 15 places to visit in the UK by Time Out Magazine and we have our own UNESCO World Heritage Site (Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal) along with a beautiful landscape which provides a natural playground to explore.