An Environmental Planner is like a detective and a designer for the planet, but for towns and cities! Their main job is to make sure that when new buildings, roads, or even whole towns are planned, they do as little harm as possible to the environment. They think about things like air quality, protecting wildlife, preventing floods, and making sure we use resources wisely. They look at maps, visit sites, and read lots of reports to understand the potential effects of a new project. Then, they help create plans that are good for both people and nature. They work with lots of different people, including architects who design buildings, engineers who build roads, and local councils who make decisions about their areas. They might advise on how to make a new housing estate more eco-friendly, or how to restore a natural habitat that's been damaged. It's a really important job because it helps us build a sustainable future, meaning we can live well today without making it harder for people in the future to live well too.
For an entry-level Environmental Planner in the UK, you might expect to earn around 22,000 to 28,000 pounds per year.
With more experience, Environmental Planners can earn between 35,000 and 50,000 pounds annually. Senior roles can go even higher.
The demand for environmental professionals, including planners, is growing in the UK due to new laws and a greater focus on protecting our planet.
Imagine helping your local council decide where new houses or parks should go. You'd look at maps, understand rules and make sure new buildings fit in with the environment and the community. It's about making sure your town grows in a good way.
This is like being an architect for whole neighbourhoods, not just single buildings. You'd help design public spaces, parks, and street layouts to make towns and cities attractive, easy to get around, and good places for people to live and play, thinking about nature too.
If you love nature and history, this could be for you! You'd help protect special places like old buildings, wildlife habitats, or beautiful landscapes. This involves researching, visiting sites, and advising on how to look after these important parts of our heritage and environment.
Start by finding out what parts of the environment you enjoy most, like animals, plants, rivers, or how towns are designed.
At school, pay attention in subjects like Geography, Biology, Science, and even History, as they can all link to understanding our planet and how we live on it. Read books or watch documentaries about nature, climate change, or city planning. Joining an eco-club or a nature group can be a great way to learn more about the world around you and meet people who share your interests.
Work hard in your school subjects, especially those related to science, geography, and maths, to open up future study options.
When you choose your GCSEs, think about picking subjects like Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or even Environmental Science if your school offers it. These subjects will give you a strong understanding of how the natural world works and how human activities can impact it. Good grades are important for getting into further education.
After GCSEs, think about studying subjects like Geography, Environmental Science, Biology, or even Economics at A-level or college.
These subjects are key for getting into university courses that lead to a career in environmental planning. Geography will teach you about landscapes and human interaction, Environmental Science will cover ecosystems and conservation, and Biology will help you understand living organisms. Sometimes, even subjects like Maths can be useful for data analysis in planning.
Study for a degree in a relevant subject like Environmental Planning, Geography, Environmental Science, or Ecology.
A Bachelor's degree (like a BSc or BA) is usually essential. Look for courses that are accredited by professional bodies like the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA), as this can make it easier to become a chartered professional later on. University will give you deep knowledge and practical skills for the job.
Look for internships, work experience, or volunteer roles related to planning or environmental protection during your studies.
Many universities offer placements as part of their degree courses. You could also volunteer with local environmental charities, councils, or planning consultancies. This 'hands-on' experience is incredibly valuable for understanding what the job is really like and making connections with people in the industry. It also looks great on your CV!
Practice important skills like problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and using computers for mapping (GIS).
Environmental Planners need to be good at thinking through problems, working with different people, and explaining their ideas clearly, both in writing and speaking. Learning how to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, which creates maps and analyses geographical data, is a really important skill for this career and is often taught at university.
Look for jobs as a Junior Environmental Planner, Planning Assistant, or Environmental Consultant Trainee.
These roles are a fantastic way to start your career after university. You'll often work under experienced planners, learning the ropes and taking on more responsibility as you gain confidence. Look for vacancies with local councils, environmental consultancies, government agencies, or large development companies. Your university careers service can often help you find these opportunities.
Become a member of organisations like the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA).
Joining these professional bodies shows you're serious about your career. They offer resources, networking opportunities, and pathways to becoming a 'chartered' professional. Chartered status means you're recognised as having high levels of competence and ethical practice, which can really help your career progress and open up more senior roles.
Keep learning new things about environmental issues, planning laws, and new technologies throughout your career.
The world of environmental planning is always changing, with new laws, technologies, and challenges emerging. Attend workshops, training courses, and conferences to stay up-to-date. This 'continuing professional development' (CPD) is important for staying good at your job and for advancing to more senior roles like Senior Environmental Planner or Head of Planning.
Similar to an Environmental Planner, but with a broader focus on how towns and cities are designed, including housing, shops, and transport, while still considering environmental aspects.
Studies how living things like plants and animals interact with their environment. An Ecologist might work closely with an Environmental Planner to assess the impact of a project on local wildlife.
Works with businesses and organisations to help them understand and manage their environmental impacts, making sure they follow laws and improve their environmental performance.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Environmental Planner. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.
Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.
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These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!
An Environmental Planner typically focuses on land use, spatial planning, and policy development with an environmental lens, which closely aligns with the core functions of a Town Planner, particularly those involved in sustainable development and environmental policy within urban and regional planning.
You can get into this job through:
You can study for a degree or a postgraduate qualification accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
Subjects include:
You can do postgraduate qualification in planning if you have a degree in an unrelated subject.
You'll usually need:
You could apply to do a Chartered Town Planner Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.
This can take around 5 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and study at university. Contact apprenticeship training providers for details.
Most people following this route have:
You could start as a town planning assistant with an organisation and take further training while you work.
You'll need the backing of your employer and you'll combine practical experience with part-time or distance learning study towards an accredited planning qualification.
You'll find it useful to get as much work experience as possible. This will give you a better understanding of the career, and the contacts you make may help you to find paid work.
You can search for companies listed by the Royal Town Planning Institute or contact your local council to ask about opportunities.
You could join the Royal Town Planning Institute for networking, events and professional development training opportunities.
You can find out more about careers in town planning from the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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