Innovative Partnership Continues to Shape the Next Generation of Planning Professionals

We are pleased to be continuing our successful partnership with Charnwood Borough Council, Loughborough University and Shakespeare Martineau for a third year, helping to equip the next generation of planning professionals with real-world experience.

The four-month long programme, launching in January and running until May 2026, gives final year Urban Planning BSc and MPlan students at Loughborough University the opportunity to take part in a fully immersive planning project as part of their planning, policy and people module.

Students will prepare and submit fictional planning applications while working through realistic scenarios, respond to stakeholder objectives, and present their cases to a mock planning committee. The project culminates in a simulated appeal hearing, where students present before a mock inspector with guidance from experienced planning lawyers.

This year’s programme will support 18 students and is designed to bridge the gap between academic study and professional practice, giving participants valuable insight into how planning decisions are made, challenged and defended.

Planning director Jacqueline Jackson said: “We’re thrilled to continue expanding this unparalleled programme. Bridging academic theory with the dynamics of real-world planning, this year’s group will gain confidence and practical insight that simply can’t be taught in lecture theatres alone.

“By nurturing skilled planners with authentic scenario-based learning, we’re actively addressing the growing demand in the profession and investing in its future resilience.”

Building on the success of the previous years, the programme continues to evolve, offering students exposure to a wide range of professional perspectives and helping them understand the realities of planning in practice.

Simon Stanion, planning law consultant at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Our involvement helps the students to experience the pressures and nuances of appeal advocacy firsthand. Watching them harness legal reasoning in a dynamic setting is incredibly rewarding.”

Beyond skill development, the initiative gives students a better understanding of real-world challenges local authorities face when managing planning applications and appeals.

Councillor Birgitta Worrall, lead member for planning at Charnwood Borough Council, said: “This initiative exemplifies our commitment to co-creating the next generation of planning professionals by working closely with academia and industry. Previous years have revealed some great future talent, and I’m positive this year’s project will do the same. We’re proud to support hands-on learning that helps guide students into successful planning careers.”

Dr Andrew Timmis, senior lecturer at Loughborough University, added: “This partnership delivers a crucial 360-degree understanding of planning – from applicant to objector and local authority. These immersive roles not only enrich learning but significantly enhance students’ readiness for professional careers.”

We are proud to continue supporting this collaborative initiative and to invest in the future of young planning professionals. By working closely with local authorities, legal experts and academia, we are helping to develop confident, capable planners equipped to meet the challenges of an evolving planning system.