Town Planning Apprentice
MCCARTHY & STONE RETIREMENT LIFESTYLES LIMITED
Ringwood (BH24 1EU)
Closes in 15 days (Friday 19 June 2026)
Posted on 4 June 2026
Contents
Summary
We are seeking a Planning Apprentice to join our Ringwood head office as part of a Level 4 Town Planning Assistant Apprenticeship. This role combines structured academic learning with practical, hands-on experience, providing an excellent introduction to the planning profession and the development industry.
- Wage
-
£26,000 a year
- Training course
- Town planning assistant (level 4)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
2 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Assist with reviewing local and national planning policy documents and guidance
- Support the preparation and submission of planning applications and appeals
- Assist in drafting planning statements and supporting documentation
- Carry out planning research and data gathering
- Support site appraisals, development assessments, and feasibility studies
- Help maintain planning application records and project trackers
- Assist with communication with local planning authorities and external consultants
- Attend site visits, planning meetings, and public consultation events where appropriate
- Provide general administrative support to the Planning team
Where you'll work
1 Embankment Way
Ringwood
BH24 1EU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
JGA LIMITED
Training course
Town planning assistant (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Data analysis: Research, collate and compare data relating to development proposals, applications and other planning considerations
- Policy analysis: Apply legislation, local and national policy and regulations to projects and casework
- Site analysis: Take and edit site photographs correctly, and take site visit notes accurately
- Report writing: Write reports and summaries and prepare initial documentation for planning proposals and policy representations
- Communication: Communicate effectively with members of the public, clients and other stakeholders. Respond to queries in writing and verbally. Use community engagement techniques to encourage participation in the planning system.
- Casework: Process own casework of projects including checking planning documentation for completeness and taking action in response to missing documentation
- Data monitoring: Consult, create and where necessary maintain records on relevant planning registers
- Mapping: Create accurate drawings, maps and digital illustrations. Interpret drawings and maps, and use appropriate mapping tools
- Presentation – internal: Discuss and present planning information, documentation and findings to colleagues
- Presentation – external: Prepare and deliver presentations to external audiences e.g. members of the public or other community or professional stakeholders
- Administration: Provide administrative support to line managers and peers. Keep an accurate record of meetings. Use appropriate case management systems.
- Data analysis: Research, collate and compare data relating to development proposals, applications and other planning considerations
- Policy analysis: Apply legislation, local and national policy and regulations to projects and casework
- Site analysis: Take and edit site photographs correctly, and take site visit notes accurately
- Report writing: Write reports and summaries and prepare initial documentation for planning proposals and policy representations
- Communication: Communicate effectively with members of the public, clients and other stakeholders. Respond to queries in writing and verbally. Use community engagement techniques to encourage participation in the planning system.
- Casework: Process own casework of projects including checking planning documentation for completeness and taking action in response to missing documentation
- Data monitoring: Consult, create and where necessary maintain records on relevant planning registers
- Mapping: Create accurate drawings, maps and digital illustrations. Interpret drawings and maps, and use appropriate mapping tools
- Presentation – internal: Discuss and present planning information, documentation and findings to colleagues
- Presentation – external: Prepare and deliver presentations to external audiences e.g. members of the public or other community or professional stakeholders
- Administration: Provide administrative support to line managers and peers. Keep an accurate record of meetings. Use appropriate case management systems.
Training schedule
You will work towards the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required under the Level 4 Town Planning Assistant Apprenticeship standard, including:
- Introduction to the UK planning system and planning process
- Understanding of local and national planning policy
- Basics of sustainable development and placemaking
- Awareness of planning legislation and development management
- Professional standards and workplace practices
More training information
You will receive structured mentoring and support throughout the apprenticeship programme to help you develop your planning knowledge and practical experience
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C or above)
- Maths (grade 4/C or above)
Desirable qualifications
A Level in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Administrative skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
Other requirements
- Full UK Driving License
About this employer
As the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, McCarthy Stone provide high quality homes to exacting specifications. As of May 2023, McCarthy Stone operates 511 developments across the UK for more than 22,800 people. They believe that later life is filled with possibilities and create warm and supportive retirement communities that bring people together to make lives more fulfilling. Everyone at McCarthy Stone is passionate about championing the role, wellbeing, and happiness of older people in society. Their mission is simple: to help their customers achieve retirement living to the full. McCarthy Stone achieve it by employing talented and ambitious people who genuinely care about the difference they make, while understanding that every staff member plays a part in their success. Their philosophy attracts the very best applicants. While their working culture – challenging and stimulating, with excellence recognised, nurtured and rewarded – helps McCarthy Stone retain them. They are proud to be winners of the Great Place to Work 2023 as well as making the Great Place to Work Wellbeing list! For the past 16 years McCarthy Stone have been awarded Home Builders Federation 5* Customer Satisfaction (2023) and are finalists for the Health Investor Senior Housing Awards (2023) having won the award in 2022. For further information, please visit www.mccarthystone.co.uk
After this apprenticeship
- While there is no guarantee of a permanent role at the end of the apprenticeship, we hope that successful completion will provide opportunities to apply for suitable vacancies within the Sales and Commercial team or other areas of the business
- The apprenticeship is designed to provide valuable skills, knowledge, and experience that can support future career development both within McCarthy & Stone and beyond
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
MCCARTHY & STONE RETIREMENT LIFESTYLES LIMITED
Matt Vale
Matt.Vale@mccarthyandstone.co.uk
07391407019
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000035087.
Apply now
Closes in 15 days (Friday 19 June 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.