Kerry Challoner, Planning and Development Manager at Lichfield District Council, outlines a typical working day.
What does a typical working day look like for you?
My day typically starts early as I am an early riser. I’m usually in the office or online by 8am and start by reviewing and responding to emails and setting my task list for the day.
In my current role, I am involved in a fair few meetings with both the team and external stakeholders. Meetings are very much online, but I do take the opportunity to get out within the district when I can. I make sure I take a break for lunch and aim to get outside and get a short walk in.
After work, I like to relax, walk my dogs and read.
What do you enjoy most about working in planning within local government?
I like the incredible variety the role offers. No two days are ever the same, the range of projects, the diversity of applications, and the different people you work with keeps the job both challenging and rewarding. I really value the opportunity to work with colleagues across different teams, elected members, applicants, and local communities, and I’ve been fortunate that every team I’ve worked in over the past 20+ years has had amazing team energy and a strong sense of shared purpose.
One of the most fulfilling aspects is seeing the tangible impact of our decisions in our little part of the country. Planning is about shaping places, supporting sustainable growth, protecting valued spaces, and helping communities evolve in a thoughtful way. It’s incredibly rewarding to see developments completed and know you played a part in balancing economic, social, and environmental priorities to achieve the best outcome.
Local government also offers unique opportunities to enhance people’s lives in a very direct way. Beyond development management, there are chances to contribute to wider priorities such as environmental protection, climate resilience, heritage conservation, and even supporting the delivery of local elections. That broader exposure gives you a real appreciation of how interconnected services are and how planning fits into the bigger picture of community wellbeing.
Ultimately, it’s the combination of professional challenge, community impact, collaborative working, and the positive energy within teams that has kept me motivated and passionate about working in planning within local government.
What did you find most challenging when you first started your career in planning, and how did you navigate that?
Developing the self-confidence to deal with people, particularly when delivering decisions that weren’t what they were hoping for. Planning can be very personal for applicants and residents, and early on I found it daunting to explain and defend decisions in situations where emotions could be high.
Over time, my confidence grew through experience. The more cases I handled, the more comfortable I became in understanding policy, applying professional judgement, and clearly explaining the reasoning behind decisions. I learned that being calm, well-prepared, and transparent in my communication made a real difference.
I was also very fortunate to be supported by more senior staff. They provided guidance, reassurance, and practical advice on how to handle difficult conversations and committee meetings. Observing how they approached challenging situations helped me develop my own style and resilience. That support network played a significant role in building both my confidence and my professional judgement.
That early experience is exactly why I place such importance on creating and maintaining a strong support network within my teams today. I know firsthand how valuable it is to have experienced colleagues to turn to for advice, encouragement, and perspective. Fostering that supportive environment helps build confidence in others, just as it was built in me.
What advice would you give to our Pathways to Planning graduates?
You have an exciting and varied career ahead of you, embrace the change. Planning, and local government more broadly, is constantly evolving, whether through local government or policy reform, technology, community expectations, or environmental priorities. See change as an opportunity to learn and grow rather than something to be wary of.
Don’t be afraid to challenge what you think is not right. If something doesn’t make sense to you, ask questions. Fresh perspectives are valuable, and constructive challenge helps improve how we work and the decisions we make. Your voice matters, even early in your career.
Get involved in all the different things that local government has to offer. There are opportunities far beyond your immediate role in local government from cross-department projects to environmental initiatives, community engagement work, or even supporting local elections. The broader your exposure, the more rounded and confident you’ll become.
Networking is also incredibly important, especially with your fellow graduates. Build those relationships early. Networking is important because it builds relationships that support both personal growth and professional effectiveness. From a career perspective, networking opens up opportunities. It increases visibility and helps you stay informed about developments in the sector.
Perhaps most importantly, networking strengthens the wider planning professional community. When people share knowledge and support one another, it raises standards, encourages innovation, and ultimately benefits the communities we serve.
