Planning and development surveyor
Planning and development surveyors assess proposed construction, transport and environmental schemes in towns and cities.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a planning and development surveyor, you could:
- analyse market data, like land and property records and values
- present findings to clients and make recommendations
- prepare planning applications for schemes
- bid for funds from development agencies and investment companies
- negotiate contracts and tenders
- advise clients on construction regulations and legal matters
- assess the likely impact of economic, social and environmental developments
Working environment
You could work at a client's business, in an office or visit sites.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could be promoted to project or senior management roles, go into partnership in private practice, or become self-employed as a consultant. You might also specialise in areas like:
- economic regeneration and redevelopment
- urban design and planning policy
- project finance and risk management
- environmental assessment and sustainable development
You could work towards chartered status, which demonstrates your professional knowledge and expertise.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of geography
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- customer service skills
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- the ability to work well with others
- knowledge of construction and planning regulations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- a graduate training scheme
You'll usually need to do an accredited degree approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Relevant subjects include:
- surveying
- business studies
- economics
- estate management
- land and property development
If your degree is in an unrelated subject or is not accredited by RICS, you could take an accredited postgraduate qualification in surveying.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
More Information
You could take a college course and enter the profession as a surveying technician. After completing your course, you would do further professional qualifications or a degree apprenticeship.
Courses include:
- construction
- construction and the built environment
- T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
More Information
You can apply to do an apprenticeship, for example:
- Surveying Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Chartered Surveyor Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
If you follow the surveying technician route, you would need to do further training to qualify as a planning and development surveyor.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
If you have a higher national diploma or foundation degree in surveying or construction, you may be able to work as a surveying technician, and take further training on the job to qualify as a surveyor.
You may be able to do a postgraduate qualification through a graduate trainee scheme with a company or through distance learning with the University of the Built Environment.
Registration
- you can register with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors to become a chartered surveyor through the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) scheme
Further information
You can find out more about how to become a planning and development surveyor from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.