Planning Consultant
A planning consultant advises on the planning merits of a development proposal, prepares and submits planning applications and manages the process with the local planning authority. MRTPI (Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute) is the chartered qualification. Essential for complex applications, appeals and enforcement matters.
See all 11 professions belowAll planning & compliance professions
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Planning Consultant
Prepares and submits planning applications. MRTPI. Essential for complex or sensitive applications.
PlannersHeritage Consultant
Advises on listed buildings, conservation areas and scheduled monuments. IHBC or MRTPI with heritage specialism.
PlannersBuilding Control Officer / Approved Inspector
Checks building work complies with Building Regulations. Local authority or private approved inspector (RICS/CABE). Required for all notifiable building work.
PlannersCDM Coordinator / Principal Designer
Manages health and safety during design and construction under CDM Regulations 2015. Required on all notifiable projects (projects lasting more than 30 working days with more than 20 workers simultaneously, or exceeding 500 person-days). APS membership.
PlannersEnergy Assessor / SAP Assessor
Produces Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and SAP calculations for new build and existing properties. Government accredited. Required for all property sales and rentals.
PlannersPrincipal Contractor
Takes overall responsibility for health and safety on a construction site under CDM Regulations. MCIOB or equivalent. Requires a Construction Phase Plan.
PlannersRight to Light Surveyor
Advises on legal rights to natural light and the impact of development on neighbouring properties. RICS membership. Required when development may interfere with a neighbour's right to light.
PlannersNeighbourhood Plan Consultant
Assists community groups and parish councils prepare Neighbourhood Development Plans. MRTPI or community planning experience. Required in areas preparing or reviewing their neighbourhood plan.
PlannersPlanning Appeals Specialist
Manages planning appeals at public inquiry, hearing or written representation. MRTPI. Required when a planning application is refused and there are grounds for appeal.
PlannersLawful Development Certificate Consultant
Advises on and applies for Lawful Development Certificates to confirm development is permitted development or existing use is lawful. MRTPI or experienced planning consultant.
PlannersEnvironmental Impact Assessment Coordinator
Manages the EIA process for large developments. IEMA or MRTPI with EIA specialism. Required for development in Annex 1 and many Annex 2 categories under the EIA Regulations.
Planning & compliance qualifications explained
RTPI and CIOB are the primary professional bodies for planning and compliance roles. Here is what the key designations mean.
The chartered qualification for town planners in the UK. Requires a RTPI-accredited degree and at least two years of practical experience assessed through the Assessment of Professional Competence. MRTPI holders are required by most planning authorities for complex applications. FRTPI (Fellow) denotes senior status.
IHBC membership is the principal qualification for heritage and conservation specialists advising on listed buildings, conservation areas and scheduled monuments. Required on most Local Planning Authority conservation teams and essential for complex heritage consent applications.
APS membership is the key quality indicator for CDM Principal Designers and CDM Advisors. APS members must demonstrate competence in health and safety management during design and construction. Required on all notifiable construction projects under CDM Regulations 2015.
MCIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) is the primary qualification for construction managers and principal contractors in the UK. Required for Principal Contractor roles on larger projects and demonstrates competence in construction management, CDM compliance and quality assurance.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessors and SAP assessors must be accredited by a government-approved accreditation scheme such as Elmhurst Energy, Stroma or ECMK. Accreditation can be verified on the EPC register. A valid EPC is a legal requirement for all property sales and rental listings.
All planning consultants, energy assessors and CDM professionals should hold current Professional Indemnity Insurance. RTPI members are required to maintain adequate PII. Ask for a current certificate before appointing. Minimum £500,000 per claim for most planning and compliance instructions.