Planning ahead to protect all our prosperity

The forthcoming Planning Bill provides an opportunity to define the term planner for the first time in legislation, writes Mary Hughes

Any person without responsibilities under a code of ethics, a recognised third-level planning qualification, or a commitment to continuing education and best practice may hold themselves out as a ‘planner’ or a ‘planning consultant’.

In fact, any unqualified individual, even with a criminal conviction for corruption in planning matters, can currently set themselves up as a ‘planner’ or ‘planning consultant’ and offer planning services to the public. However, they should not use the title planner if they do not have a planning qualification and are not committed to continuous professional development and a code of ethics.