What has kept me in the public sector is the sense of purpose and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful outcomes. I value being part of a system that aims to balance growth with community needs and long-term sustainability.
Career journey and role
I studied Law at university and began my career as a paralegal specialising in planning law. This provided me with a strong grounding in the legislative and procedural aspects of the planning system, as well as valuable insight into how planning decisions are challenged.
Through my role, I became familiar with the Planning Inspectorate and decided it was the right time to pursue a career change and move into planning more directly.
As part of my chartered town planner apprenticeship, I spend one day a week studying and the remaining four days working as a Planning Appeals Officer.
I find it particularly rewarding to work on a variety of cases, with various reasons for refusal. It’s satisfying to contribute to well-reasoned decisions and to see how these shape development outcomes.
One of the biggest challenges was gaining confidence in applying planning policy in real-world situations, particularly when balancing competing priorities.
I navigated this by: seeking guidance from experienced colleagues, taking time to thoroughly understand local and national policy frameworks, and building confidence through practical experience and reflection
Coming from a legal background, I also had to adapt to a more collaborative and multidisciplinary working environment, which has been a valuable learning experience.
Value of working in local government/public sector
The flexibility of hybrid working alongside reasonable working hours supports a healthy work–life balance. I also value the clear progression pathways that come with working in the public sector, as expectations and career development opportunities are well defined.
In my role, it is very clear how I can progress and continue to grow professionally. Working in the public sector also provides a strong sense of purpose, particularly in contributing to sustainable development that benefits local communities. I have a great deal of respect for the values of the Planning Inspectorate, where decision-making is guided by principles of public interest, fairness, and transparency.
A common misconception is that public service planning is slow-moving or overly bureaucratic. While processes are rigorous, this is often necessary to ensure fair and transparent decision-making.
Another misconception is that the work lacks variety. In reality, public sector planning offers exposure to a wide range of issues, from housing and regeneration to environmental protection, making it an intellectually engaging and dynamic career.
Advice
I realise I am at a similar stage to people on the Pathways to Planning route, however, my advice would be to build strong relationships as planning is collaborative and learning from colleagues and building connections is important for development.
I have also learnt the importance of taking opportunities to get involved in different types of work. The Planning Inspectorate offers lots of learning opportunities to get involved with other areas within the Planning Inspectorate including working with the National Infrastructure team and the Local Plans team.
Being proactive in seeking out opportunities beyond my immediate role has also been invaluable. For example, I joined the RTPI Young Town Planners
Committee in London, which has allowed me to connect with others at a similar stage in their careers across both the public and private sectors. This has broadened my understanding of the different pathways within planning and provided a supportive network for sharing knowledge and experiences.
Through this role, I will also have the opportunity to help organise CPD events, which will further develop my professional skills and enabled me to contribute to the learning of others within the profession.
I would tell my younger self not to worry about having a perfectly linear career path. The skills I developed in planning law have been incredibly valuable and have shaped my approach in my current role.
I would also encourage myself to ask more questions early on and to have confidence in my perspective, even as a junior professional, your contribution is valuable.