The Government is supporting a push to address the nationwide shortage of planning enforcement officers.
A new initiative by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), in collaboration with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, will teach school and college students about the pathways into planning enforcement and what the role involves.
The sector is grappling with a ‘substantial crisis’ in resourcing, skills and performance, the RTPI said.
In 2022, a ‘staggering’ 80% of planners were concerned about the insufficient number of enforcement officers, and 70% of councils reported difficulties recruiting the officers over the past five years, research by the institute found.
RTPI chief executive Victoria Hills said: ‘Enforcement officers are the backbone of the planning system, driving tangible improvements for their local communities and safeguarding both people and the natural environment.
‘Planning enforcement officers have diverse backgrounds and different educational and career paths, and we warmly welcome candidates into the profession at an exciting time for planning enforcement.’
