Graduate Planning Apprentice (development Management)
South Norfolk and Broadland Council · East Of England · NR7 0WF
About the role
Shape Places & Build Communities: Your Future in Planning Starts Here! 🌍
Ready to kickstart or accelerate your career in planning? Want a fully funded Master's degree and a professional qualification while you earn? 💰
Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council are teaming up to offer an awesome 3-year development programme! 🚀 Join one of Norfolk's biggest and most diverse planning teams. You'll get hands-on experience and a fully funded RTPI-accredited Level 7 Master's apprenticeship. Learn on the job and build the skills you need to totally crush it in planning! 💪
As a Planning Apprentice in our Development Management team, you'll be at the heart of shaping communities, supporting sustainable growth, and helping deliver homes 🏘️, jobs 💼, and infrastructure across Norfolk.
This isn't just another grad job. As you grow, you'll manage your own workload, team up with experienced planners and specialists, and get a front-row seat to all the exciting challenges and opportunities in modern planning.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Helping out with a variety of planning applications, starting with householder and smaller projects. 🏠
- Checking out sites and giving your assessments. 🚶♀️
- Chatting with applicants, agents, neighbours, and elected members. 🗣️
- Writing up planning reports and making recommendations. 📝
- Supporting appeals and investigations. 🕵️
- Helping make high-quality planning decisions that balance growth, protecting the environment 🌱, and community needs. ❤️
Opportunity Alert! You might also get to explore other areas like: Planning Enforcement 👮, Biodiversity Net Gain 🦋, Nutrient Neutrality, Design & Place-Making 🎨, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) & Section 106 Delivery, Planning Policy & Place Shaping, and Monitoring & Infrastructure Planning.
The exact mix depends on what's happening, but our goal is to give you a big picture understanding of planning and help you become a totally well-rounded pro! ✨
What We're Looking For:
We need someone who's super enthusiastic, motivated, and passionate about places, communities, and shaping the future! 🔥
You'll need:
- A relevant degree or qualification that lets you join an RTPI-accredited Level 7 planning apprenticeship. 🎓
- The drive and commitment to study for your Master's while working, including attending classes at Anglia Ruskin University. Travel costs covered! 🚌
- Awesome communication and people skills. 🤝
- Great organisation skills and the ability to juggle different tasks. 🤹
- A sharp, analytical mind for interpreting plans, policies, and technical info. 🧠
- A team player attitude and a hunger to learn. 📚
- The ability to travel around the district as needed. 🚗
We'll need you to be successfully enrolled in the Master's program to get the job! ✅
What You'll Get:
On top of a competitive salary, you'll snag:
- A fully funded RTPI-accredited Level 7 Master's qualification. 💯
- Dedicated study time built into your work week. 🗓️
- Loads of support from experienced planning pros. 🙌
- A 3-year program mixing study and real-world experience. 🌐
- Exposure to tons of different planning areas. 🌟
- Chances to build your professional network. 🤝
- Valuable experience to help you become a Chartered Town Planner! 🏅
This is your shot to get a recognised professional qualification and make a real impact on local communities! 🏘️
Why Join Us?
We cover a huge and diverse area around Norwich, with bustling market towns, villages, rural spots, and major growth areas. 🏞️ We handle around 4,000 planning applications every year, from small home extensions to massive housing and business projects. Our patch boasts stunning landscapes, historic towns, conservation areas, listed buildings, and vital environmental assets. 🌳 We're also leading the charge in growth through the Greater Norwich Partnership, planning and delivering new homes, jobs, and infrastructure while protecting what makes Norfolk so special. 💚
Closing Date: 13th October 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
*The Councils reserve the right to close any vacancies at any time.*
We're committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, so all applicants will need to undergo appropriate checks. 🛡️
Key responsibilities
- Assist on a varied caseload of planning applications.
- Undertake site visits and assessments.
- Liaise with applicants, agents, consultees, residents and elected members.
- Draft planning reports and recommendations.
- Support appeals work and planning investigations.