A day in the life of an Senior Planning Officer

Claire Rodway

My name is Claire Rodway. My role is a Senior Planning Officer within the Policy and Conservation Team. I have worked for the Council for 14 years.

I started working for the Council in 1994. I had just completed my A levels and was offered a place at University to study law, however I saw a job advertised as a Junior Technical Assistant in the Planning Drawing Office and thought it sounded interesting as I had enjoyed geography at school, so I asked to defer my place for a year. The pay wasn’t brilliant but the range and variety of work made up for this and I soon decided to study planning instead!

After 4 years I was promoted to a Junior Planning Officer and this gave me the chance to become qualified whilst experiencing Development Control, Enforcement and Policy. Usually Planning Officers are required to have a degree (BA or BSc) in Town Planning and are appointed following 2-3 years full time study. As I came to the job straight from school I opted to study for a Higher National Certificate in Land Admin., followed by a Foundation Course in Town Planning and then a Masters Degree in Town and Country Planning. I enjoyed this so much that I went on to undertake a further Masters Degree course in Architectural Conservation. I became a Senior Planning Officer about 6 years ago and now mentor colleagues who are still studying.

I am a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, the professional planning body, and so am required to undertake a certain amount of continuous training such as background reading, seminars and conferences.

Planning Officers are responsible for their own workloads. In Development Control planning applications need to be assessed and determined according to strict deadlines so every day is broadly similar but I tend to undertake my policy work as a series of projects which allows me to achieve an interesting balance and variety of work. I am currently working to find 9 new Gypsy pitches in East Devon, looking at where new development should be located in the District over the next 20 years, involved in the regeneration of Seaton and working with local communities to produce Parish Plans and Village Design Statements.

My interest in planning stems from a desire to protect the environment and ensure that new development is in-keeping with its surroundings. I opted to undertake Policy work because Development Control can be repetitive (as a Junior you tend to deal with minor conservatories, sheds etc) and can lead to acrimonious situations with the public when controversial applications are determined. I dislike this, although many of my colleagues enjoy resolving such situations positively.

Similarly, I find the confrontation which can arise at public meetings and exhibitions the least enjoyable part of my Policy job although statistical analysis comes a close second! Having said that, I thoroughly enjoy the majority of my work- it is interesting and varied and I feel we make a real difference to our environment and the quality of life of East Devon residents. I love working with local communities and have built very close relationships with many interesting people I would never otherwise have met.

I work part time (Mon, Tues and Wed) so that I can spend more time with my little girl. The flexi-time system offered by the Council is really helpful to me. I work occasional evenings and Saturdays when I give presentations to the public, but this time accrues and is taken as extra leave.

Local Government offers a secure working environment ideal for anyone seeking an interesting job with a package of benefits, excellent pension and good career development prospects.

Good Luck in your chosen career!!

Page last updated on 7 November 2008