Planning Volunteer

CPRE Buckinghamshire is an environmental charity dedicated to protecting the countryside. We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support our core work on local planning matters.

Are you passionate about protecting the countryside? Do you want to help ensure future generations have beautiful surroundings for their mental health, a better climate to live in and food to eat, while also having sustainable energy, transport and places to live?

CPRE Buckinghamshire is looking for enthusiastic individuals to support our work on local planning matters, ranging from county-wide development plans through neighbourhood (local) plans, to proposals for large commercial and residential developments.

By volunteering with us you would be providing invaluable input into our campaigns and helping to ensure the protection and celebration of the green spaces of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

Activities include:

• Investigating planning applications, helping us to influence their outcome
• Reviewing plans, applications and other consultations and sharing your findings
• Drafting response letters to the local planning authority
• Researching planning policy and best practice
• Supporting local communities in responding to planning issues and contributing to local campaigns
• Assisting in the preparation of responses to wider consultations, including planning appeals
• Liaising with other CPRE volunteers, local residents or other organisations.

Person description:

This role does not require previous experience with planning, as training and guidance can be provided. However, some knowledge would be very helpful. We hope you can offer us many of the qualities described below:

• A strong passion for 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.

This is an ideal opportunity to grow your knowledge of the planning system, and to gain experience of working in the environmental campaigning sector or for an environmental charity. You will have the opportunity to meet local people and feel part of a friendly and passionate group.

We anticipate that this role could take a few hours per week, but it can be as little or as much as you like. We keep in regular contact via phone and/or email to discuss progress and to provide support. Group meetings are usually virtual.

If you would like further information about this role, please email [email protected]

The role is voluntary, although we will pay all out-of-pocket expenses with prior agreement, in line with our Volunteers Policy.