MY FIRST YEAR AT EVOLVE

Work Experience

During my work experience in 2023, Stuart and Neil introduced me to the fundamentals of planning. I got involved in site appraisals, joined site visits, sat in on meetings and helped write content for a consultation website. I loved the variety and quickly realised that planning was something I wanted to pursue. So, when I was offered a job, it was an easy yes!
 
Fast forward to July 2024 and I started at Evolve full-time. I’m completing a Level 7 Apprenticeship with the University of Birmingham, which means I spend one day a week at university working towards my master’s degree and the other four learning ‘on the job’.

 

First Few Months

At the start, I spent a lot of time shadowing Neil and Stuart – joining their meetings, doing site appraisals and creating material for community consultations. I particularly enjoy the latter as it’s a great mix of creative and written work! Through shadowing and attending meetings I’ve learnt a lot about the different aspects of the job, from concept meetings and site visits to conferences with barristers.
 
After about a month, I started writing planning statements – first focusing on the opening sections that explain the site, proposals and relevant policies and then moving on to the planning balance, which involves weighing up the technical matters and forming a view on the merits of a scheme.

 

Leading on Projects

I’ve now started leading on some smaller projects. Most of these have been agricultural diversification schemes, such as changing the use of land from agricultural to equestrian or creating dog walking fields with associated fencing, gates, parking and access.
 
These applications involve carrying out an initial site appraisal, preparing a fee proposal, coordinating consultants like ecologists and designers, writing the planning statement (and sometimes other documents such as covering letters or flood risk assessments), submitting the application and managing issues that come up post-submission. It’s been great to see projects through from start to finish!

 

Assisting on Strategic Housing Developments

Alongside leading on smaller schemes, I’ve also been helping out on larger housing projects, including sites in the Green Belt (or, as is often argued now, grey belt) and those outside settlement boundaries.
 
My role has included drafting planning statements and portal forms, as well as running the community engagement side of things. This involves contacting the parish council and community groups, liaising with leaflet printers and distributors, booking exhibition spaces and creating materials for leaflets, boards and websites. I proof all the materials and attend the exhibitions too.

 

Looking Ahead

It’s hard to believe how much I’ve learnt in a year. Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep building on my knowledge, taking on more responsibility and getting stuck into new projects.
 
I’m especially looking forward to developing my interest in community engagement through my dissertation, which will explore how pre-submission consultations can be made more effective and inclusive. It’s something I’ve really enjoyed being involved in and I’m keen to see how what I learn can feed back into the work we do at Evolve.
 
It’s been a great first year and I’m grateful to be part of such a supportive and collaborative team!