New scheme encourages graduates into town and planning careers

The Department for Levelling Up is awarding £1.59 million to a Local Government Association scheme to help councils recruit and develop more skilled planners.

The Pathways to Planning Programme will place graduates in councils. Around 30 people will be able to secure a placement while also receiving a bursary to study towards a planning masters.

The department said that the funding is part of the Government’s wider work to bolster the planning system in bringing forward measures through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill to reduce delays and "unnecessary bureaucracy" that hold up development.

Minister for Housing and Planning, Rachel Maclean said: “Delivering a modern and efficient planning system is vital in shaping our neighbourhoods and communities. We want to place the next generation of planners on the frontline to design beautiful homes and provide high quality infrastructure right across the country.

“We are bringing in ground-breaking reforms to speed up the planning process through the Levelling Up Bill, and it is essential that local councils are equipped with the right skills and resources as we continue to level up towns and cities that people are proud to call home.”

LGA Chairman Cllr James Jamieson said: “We are incredibly excited to be delivering Pathways to Planning in collaboration with the Planning Advisory Service (PAS), with funding provided by DLUHC.

“With more than 20 years of experience bringing graduate talent into local authorities through the National Graduate Development Programme for local government (NGDP), we are confident that Pathways to Planning can add exceptional value to local council planning teams from day one and build a talent pipeline for the future.”

Image by Steven Iodice from Pixabay