The Planning Advisory Service does not offer planning advice to individuals and organisations that are not councils. Anyone with questions about a local planning issue should contact their own local planning authority as a first point of call. However, Planning Aid England, an organisation staffed by volunteers, is available to provide independent advice or information about planning generally.
Service offer to the public
Planning Aid England (PAE) offers potential services to members of the public, local community groups, and local authorities that include:
- A free web resource for planning advice - www.planningaid.co.uk
- A free email advice service accessible via an online enquiry form
- Bespoke planning support for individuals and groups, usually in areas of more severe socio-economic disadvantage.
- Community engagement, outreach and capacity building
- Workshops and training on the planning system
Further information, including examples, of how we work with Local Planning Authorities is available here, and for more information about PAE’s wider service offer, please click here.
Volunteer offer for planners
Planning Aid England (PAE) offers a variety of volunteer roles and activities to members of the RTPI to help benefit members of the public or community groups in need of planning guidance as well as planners in their career development. Volunteer roles and activities are evolving constantly to reflect volunteer feedback, the needs of those we help, and changes in the planning system.
Current volunteer opportunities fit into the following categories:
- Providing planning advice via email as part of our volunteer-led email advice service (MRTPI required)
- Casework (MRTPI required)
- Writing and reviewing online resources and guidance
- Consultation and community engagement in deprived areas (e.g. supporting local plan consultations)
- Supporting neighbourhood/community planning activity in deprived areas
In addition to these categories, there may also be opportunities to oversee less experienced volunteers where such possibilities arise (e.g. at a community consultation event) and to promote PAE services.
For more information on volunteering PAE, please click here.
To register as a PAE volunteer, please click here.