Apprentice - Planning Policy
West Suffolk Council
Suffolk (IP33 3YU)
Closes in 29 days (Sunday 11 January 2026)
Posted on 10 December 2025
Contents
Summary
We are offering an exciting opportunity where you “earn and learn”. This apprenticeship pathway will give you the experience, knowledge and confidence to lead you into a career within Planning Policy and give you the chance to fully realise your potential within a fast paced and proactive organisation.
- Wage
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£19,293 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Starting salary £10 per hour plus excellent employee benefits package
- Training course
- Town planning assistant (level 4)
- Hours
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37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 12 January 2026
- Duration
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2 years
- Positions available
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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
Town Planning requires a set of skills and processes to build homes, support jobs and protect the environment. No two days are the same, and your career could lead to a variety of specialisms and supporting local communities.
Your training will provide you with a broad knowledge base of the Strategic Planning Service at West Suffolk Council. As a Planning Policy Apprentice, you will be supporting the team in undertaking a range of tasks including assisting preparation of the Local Plan, delivery of the adopted Local Plan, supporting the preparation of Neighbourhood Plans, supporting colleagues in the development management team and assisting the preparation of supplementary planning documents and masterplans.
Where you'll work
West Suffolk House
Western Way
Bury St. Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 3YU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP
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
Whilst working, you will complete a Level 4 Town Planning Assistant Apprenticeship, for which you will be entitled to paid study time to complete; this is linked to the national apprenticeship scheme. You will have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, learning and developing new skills whilst building your confidence along the way.
More training information
Level 4 Town Planning Assistant Apprenticeship at Chichester College Group.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- 3 other subjects (grade 9-4)
- English (grade 9-4)
- Maths (grade 9-4)
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
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
West Suffolk Council is an extremely ambitious and dynamic local authority with a workforce of over 700 employees. We provide healthy, safe and vibrant places to live and work. Few other employers play such a pivotal role in the community. That's a great responsibility but also very rewarding and something that really makes a difference.
Company benefits
- Holiday entitlement of 25 days
- Generous pension scheme
- Flexible working options
- Discounted gym membership
- Modern office accommodation
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
This is a career grade post that commences at Planning Policy Apprentice and provides the opportunity to progress to Planning Policy Officer.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000004669.
Apply now
Closes in 29 days (Sunday 11 January 2026)
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