Town planning assistant

KSBs

Knowledge

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 Back to Duty

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. Back to Duty

K3: Data collection: Where to find current and historical data on single sites and wider areas for development. Back to Duty

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. Back to Duty

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. Back to Duty

K6: Conditions, appeals and enforcement: The features of monitoring compliance of authorised and unauthorised developments and support the processing of planning appeals. Back to Duty

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 Back to Duty

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. Back to Duty

K9: Health and Safety: Responsibilities under health and safety legislation on safe working practices Back to Duty

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 Back to Duty

K11: Report writing: How to select and present information about policy constraints, site research and baseline analysis Back to Duty

K12: Project Management: The requirements for projects, including timescales, deadlines, cost implications, and identifying milestones/targets Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Data analysis: Research, collate and compare data relating to development proposals, applications and other planning considerations Back to Duty

S2: Policy analysis: Apply legislation, local and national policy and regulations to projects and casework Back to Duty

S3: Site analysis: Take and edit site photographs correctly, and take site visit notes accurately Back to Duty

S4: Report writing: Write reports and summaries and prepare initial documentation for planning proposals and policy representations Back to Duty

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. Back to Duty

S6: Casework: Process own casework of projects including checking planning documentation for completeness and taking action in response to missing documentation Back to Duty

S7: Data monitoring: Consult, create and where necessary maintain records on relevant planning registers Back to Duty

S8: Mapping: Create accurate drawings, maps and digital illustrations. Interpret drawings and maps, and use appropriate mapping tools Back to Duty

S9: Presentation – internal: Discuss and present planning information, documentation and findings to colleagues Back to Duty

S10: Presentation – external: Prepare and deliver presentations to external audiences e.g. members of the public or other community or professional stakeholders Back to Duty

S11: Administration: Provide administrative support to line managers and peers. Keep an accurate record of meetings. Use appropriate case management systems. Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Take care for their own health and safety Back to Duty

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. Back to Duty

B3: Commitment to their own Continuing Professional Development Back to Duty

B4: Work effectively both on their own and as part of a team Back to Duty

B5: Demonstrate time management skills, prioritise workload, work under pressure and be able to meet critical deadlines Back to Duty