Collaborative project aims to develop future planners

Published: Wed 28th February, 2024

A new project to inspire and support the next generation of planning officers is underway.

Charnwood Borough Council is working alongside planning consultancy Marrons and law firm Shakespeare Martineau to help Loughborough University students learn about the planning application process.

The project which is part of the third year Planning, Policy and People module on the Urban Planning BSc/MPlan course will run until May this year.

Around 18 students will gain an understanding on the documentation required to submit a planning application as well as learning about the process from submission through to decision-making. They will also find out how objections to an application can be put forward.

It comes as the borough council recently welcomed a third-year Urban Planning student from the University to the planning team on a 12-month internship.

Richard Bennett, Head of Planning and Growth at Charnwood Borough Council said: “As the Local Planning Authority, the Council is pleased to be supporting students aspiring to embark on a career in planning and development.

“It’s a great example of how we are working in partnership with the University and the private sector to provide insight and enable students to gain real life experience.”

The project is being ran across two phases. The first will include the preparation of a fictional planning application and a series of objections, both of which will be heard at a mock plans committee.

The second and final phase will consist of a mock planning appeal hearing which will be supported by planning lawyers from Shakespeare Martineau.

Dr Andrew Timmis, Senior Lecturer in Transport and Planning at the University said the project was a great opportunity for the students.

Dr Timmis said: “We are grateful to each organisation involved in supporting this project which will provide a real-life 360-degree view of the planning process from the perspective of applicant, objectors and planning authorities.

“As the course is fairly new and it is the first time we’ve offered this type of project, I’m hopeful students will gain valuable experience and it is something we can offer in future years.

“This partnership work will also help the course towards achieving professional recognition and accreditation.”

David Pendle, a Partner at Marrons has been supporting the delivery of the project. He said: “We are delighted to be working with key partners to help inspire the next generation of planners.

“The project fits well with our own Marrons apprenticeship scheme as we look to develop talent and also complements our responsible business initiatives. I am looking forward to helping the students understand the different stages of the planning process and watching them grow as they put their learning into practice.”

Simon Stanion, a Partner and Planning Lawyer at Shakespeare Martineau will be supporting students with the mock planning appeal hearing.

He added: “I am delighted to have an opportunity to share my experience of acting as an advocate on behalf of local planning authorities, appellants and third-party objectors at planning appeal hearings and public inquiries over many years with the students and to help them through the mock planning appeal process.”

As the Local Planning Authority, Charnwood Borough Council is responsible for making decisions on planning applications (in line with local and national policies).

The Council receives and processes around 2,500 planning applications each year.