Volunteering opportunities in planning

We cover four areas of Wiltshire, based upon the former district councils and Swindon Borough Council areas: North Wiltshire and Swindon; Kennet; South Wiltshire; and West Wiltshire.  We are looking for volunteers in each area to help us deal with planning applications.  You could help to cover an entire area or just the town or a group of villages in which you live.

Activities involve:

• investigating planning applications which have a significant impact upon the countryside and helping us to influence their outcome
• reviewing plans, applications and other consultations on the internet
• visiting sites and recording details
• sharing the information, and your thoughts, with the CPRE team in your area.

Initially at least, you don’t need to undertake all of these activities.  Alerting us to an application, even a potential one, and visiting the site would be a helpful start.

As your skills develop you will be encouraged and supported to:

• draft letters to the local planning authority
• research planning policy and best practice
• liaise with parish councils, district councils and other conservation bodies
• assist in the preparation of responses to wider consultations, including planning appeals and forward plans
• contribute to our are committee and assist CPRE in planning research.

This role does not require any previous experience with planning, as training and guidance will be provided.

What we need from you:

You will be home-based, carrying out activities around your other commitments. We keep in regular contact via phone and/or email to discuss progress and to provide support. You would also be encouraged to attend group meetings.
This is an opportunity to be involved in a vital aspect of our work. You will gain satisfaction from investigating local concerns, improve your knowledge of the planning system, meet local people and feel part of a friendly and passionate group.

Ideally, we hope that you can offer us some or all of the qualities described below:

• a strong interest in the countryside
• an understanding of the planning system (or be willing to learn)
• an interest in investigative work, with an eye for detail
• a desire to share your knowledge with others in the branch
• good communication skills – written and verbal
• can attend meetings or, when not possible, can provide updates for meetings
• computer literate – the internet, e-mail and MS Word or equivalent

As a guide, we anticipate this voluntary role will take 1-2 hours per week, but this is very much dependent upon the number of planning applications.

What’s in it for you?

CPRE volunteers are motivated to help for a range of reasons, but normally they have a strong interest in protecting and enhancing the environment, as well as encouraging people to enjoy the countryside and all it has to offer.

Benefits include:

• A great opportunity to use your existing experience and to develop new skills
• Working with others to make a difference both locally and nationally
• The potential to meet and discuss issues with a wide range of like-minded people
• Opportunities to attend local and national CPRE activities, events and workshops

The role is voluntary although we might be able to pay all out-of-pocket expenses with prior agreement.

If you would like to apply for the role, please email admin@cprewiltshire.org.uk .  For further information, please send us an email with your questions or call us on 01380 722157.

You can also download the role description as a PDF document via the link below.

The English countryside is wonderful – help us to look after it.