Town planning assistant

Town planning assistants process development applications, gather site data, create technical plans and give advice on regulations.

In this guide

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a town planning assistant, you could:

  • research information on land and property registers
  • gather data, take photos and check maps on site visits
  • prepare reports on potential development sites
  • manage technical libraries, filing systems and databases
  • draw up plans using computer-aided design software
  • carry out surveys, like traffic impact assessments
  • advise on planning and environmental regulations
  • organise public consultations and answer enquiries about application procedures

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a town planning assistant to be a green job, you could:

  • research and present reports on the environmental impact of plans
  • aim to reduce congestion and promote cleaner ways to travel
  • put sustainability at the heart of projects

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work in an office or visit sites.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a team leader or move on to technician level. With further study, you could become a qualified town planner.

You might also set up your own business and offer consultancy support in areas like planning law, environmental regulations and sustainable design.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of geography
  • the ability to work well with others
  • analytical thinking skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • customer service skills
  • business management skills
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • maths skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You may need a driving licence to visit development sites.

Most relevant

  • Geography - Town planning assistants use geographical knowledge every day – from reading maps and analysing land use patterns to understanding how urban and rural environments are shaped by human activity. Site visits, traffic impact assessments, and environmental reports all draw heavily on geographical skills and concepts.
  • Mathematics - Town planning assistants work with measurements, site data, and statistical information when preparing reports and drawing up plans. They need to interpret survey results, calculate areas and distances, and analyse data from traffic assessments and population studies.
  • Design and Technology - Town planning assistants draw up plans using computer-aided design (CAD) software and need to understand technical drawings and spatial layouts. Skills in design thinking and working with technical specifications help them produce accurate site plans and development proposals.
  • Environmental Science - Town planning assistants research and report on the environmental impact of proposed developments, advise on environmental regulations, and consider sustainability in planning decisions. Understanding topics like pollution, biodiversity, and climate change is directly relevant to assessing whether a development should go ahead.

Also relevant

  • Business - Town planning assistants use business management skills when organising consultations, managing databases, and dealing with applicants and the public. Understanding how organisations operate and how economic factors influence development decisions helps them assess planning applications in context.
  • Economics - Town planning assistants need to understand how development decisions affect local economies, housing markets, and infrastructure investment. Economic thinking helps when evaluating whether proposed projects are viable and what impact they might have on a community.
  • Law - Town planning assistants advise on planning regulations and need to understand government legislation that controls how land and buildings can be used. They work within a legal framework that determines what can be built, where, and under what conditions.
  • Computer Science - Town planning assistants work with CAD software, geographic information systems (GIS), and databases to manage site data and produce technical plans. Understanding how these digital tools process and display spatial data helps them work more effectively with complex planning information.
  • Politics - Town planning assistants work within a system shaped by local and national government policy, from housing targets to green belt protections. Understanding how political decisions influence planning frameworks and public consultations helps them navigate the regulatory environment they work in.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

You can do a degree accredited by The Royal Town Planning Institute before applying for a job as an assistant.

Subjects include:

  • planning, environment and development
  • city and regional planning
  • urban planning and property development

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

You can take a college course to learn some of the skills needed for the job, which may help when applying for a trainee position.

Courses include:

  • construction and the built environment
  • civil engineering for technicians
  • T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

You can apply for a place on a Town Planning Assistant Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This typically takes around 2 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and off-site study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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

You can apply directly for a trainee position. You'll need a minimum of GCSEs in maths, English and ICT, along with A levels or equivalent in subjects like:

  • geography
  • environmental studies
  • business studies
  • economics

You may have an advantage if you have experience in:

  • administration
  • computer-aided design (CAD)
  • construction
  • surveying

Some employers may ask for a degree qualification.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the The Royal Town Planning Institute for networking, events and professional development training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in town planning from The Royal Town Planning Institute.

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