Alison – Planning Officer
As a Planning Officer at DCC, I have had the opportunity to work across a range of planning areas including development management applications for cycle paths and schools as well as the delivery of infrastructure such as public realm enhancements and a new community building.
I really enjoy the range of experience that working at DCC offers which has enabled me to work towards an MSc in Town Planning.
The planning team at DCC has a great depth of knowledge within its staff members who are friendly and always willing to provide support and assistance, especially to those new to planning.
Barney – Senior Planning Officer
I have been a Planner at Devon County Council for over 15 years. Over this time my work has ranged from smaller scale applications for school extensions, cycle paths and sewage treatment works to larger scale applications at a number of quarries and waste sites scattered throughout Devon as well as other infrastructure delivery projects including bridges, roads, schools, recycling centres and energy from waste plants.
I am also responsible for being the strategic planning link between Exeter City Council and Devon County Council. All in all I can honestly say that this is one of the most varied and rewarding jobs I have had.
The planning team are a really enthusiastic, motivated and friendly group and the variety of work which comes your way, the people you get to meet and the fact that you get to travel to all corners of Devon as part of the job are all reasons why I have stayed at the Council for so long.
Daisy – Assistant Planning Officer
I joined the team in 2022 as a Graduate Trainee Planner and now I am an Assistant Planning Officer within the team. I am working towards completing a Town Planning MSc in March 2025, with the hope to work towards my RTPI chartership within the following months.
My work currently involves planning applications at waste and mineral sites, policy work as well as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.
DCC has been great at supporting me through my university work and I’ve been involved in a variety of projects to increase my experience, confidence and contribute towards my RTPI membership. I also enjoy the flexibility of being able to work from home and in the office. As someone who was completely new to planning when I first joined, it was invaluable to me that the planning team were (and still are) so friendly and approachable, no question is too small!
Kate – Graduate Trainee Planner
I joined the planning team at DCC in 2019 as an apprentice and I now work as a Graduate Trainee Planner. I have recently completed the Undergraduate Planning Degree, and I am now in my first year of the Urban Planning MSc at UWE.
My work tasks vary from determining planning applications and providing pre-application advice, to being involved in minerals & waste policy work and assisting with the strategic planning tasks for a couple of the Devon districts.
I enjoy working in the planning team because there are plenty of opportunities to work on a variety of different tasks and the team are very supportive of professional development and growth!
Nicola – Principal Planning Officer
As part of my role as a Principal Planning Officer, I oversee DCC’s involvement in all of the Local Development Plans in Devon which are prepared by the District Councils to guide the type and location of future housing and other development in their area.
I also coordinate DCC’s strategic planning input at Cranbrook new town including planning for new infrastructure such as schools, transport and community facilities. My work is very interesting and varied and involves working with a wide range of people across the county council and in other local authorities.
Having started with DCC as a Graduate Trainee (a long time ago!), I have appreciated being able to work on lots of different types of town planning work all within my role here.
I really enjoy working for DCC as I find it a very friendly and supportive work environment. It is also great to work in such a beautiful and varied county!
Sarah – County Planning Manager
I started working for Devon County Council as a Graduate Trainee and have progressed to my current role of County Planning Manager. I consider myself fortunate to manage a great planning team – there’s a breadth of knowledge and everyone looks out for and supports each other.
During my time working for DCC I’ve enjoyed being able to gain experience in different areas of planning including transport planning, school place planning and highways development management. This has been beneficial for my current role, which includes elements of all of my previous experience, although there is always more to learn, which is one of the reasons why the role is so interesting. I enjoy feeling that I make a difference in my role, particularly where it supports development which communities benefit from. It’s also rewarding to see projects being delivered on site which I have had involvement in.
Rachel – Senior Planning Officer
I have worked in the planning team at the County Council for over 10 years and began my career as a graduate having studied BSc Geography at Plymouth University. Joining as a graduate has allowed me to study for my Masters and to try my hand at various elements of planning and discover where my key skills lie. I grew up in Devon and being able to live and work in such a beautiful place is wonderful.
The area of work that I enjoy the most is working with District Councils in the production of their Local Plans. It is rewarding to build positive working relationships with the districts and to influence policy making and planning for the future to ensure the best possible outcomes for communities in Devon. It has also been really enjoyable to be involved in some of our larger waste and minerals sites ensuring that the delivery of vital minerals and the need for management of waste can be achieved in a sustainable way that protects what makes Devon special.
Andy – Planning Development Manager
I manage the County Council’s development management function including planning applications, monitoring and enforcement. After spending my earlier career in ‘mainstream’ planning, I have enjoyed the opportunity to specialise in minerals and waste, and find it more rewarding to become an expert in a narrower field.
Sue – Principal Planning Officer
I joined Devon County Council in 1998 and have worked on minerals and waste projects since then, focussing mainly on industrial minerals.
I really enjoy the work looking after the planning around minerals and have an interesting spread of sites from the Hemerdon Tungsten Mine which will be the largest opencast mine in western Europe, through to small building stone quarries which are important to enable the conservation of our beautiful historic buildings.
Emily – Principal Planning Officer
I am currently a Principal Planning Officer, having progressed at DCC since I joined the Planning Team in 2013 as a Graduate Planner. Devon County Council has supported me through my Masters degree, to successfully become a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and allows me to continue my training and learning today.
I enjoy working for the County Council because of the flexibility and the range of projects you can become involved with – we cover lots of different aspects of planning. I feel hard work is acknowledged at the County Council and, on the career grade scheme, there are opportunities for this to be recognised and make progression. Having been supported through my career to date, I enjoy supporting others with their development, through to becoming Chartered Planners.
Rowan – Planning Officer
I have worked at DCC since 2016, and I have worked my way up to the role as a Planning Officer, the experience I’ve gained over the years will help towards achieving my RTPI Chartership which I’m working towards through the EP-APC route. My work is extremely varied, and I work across both development management and strategic planning.
Development management entails dealing with planning applications, providing pre-application advice, and also being involved with waste and mineral sites either through annual monitoring of the sites, or dealing with planning applications for them. I am also the strategic link between East Devon District Council and DCC.
I really enjoy how varied my work is and I look forward to the work and challenges I’ll be exposed to in the future.
Daniel – Graduate Trainee Planner
I am Graduate Trainee Planner currently undertaking the apprenticeship programme supported by DCC. As part of this programme, I am completing a MSc in Town Planning at Plymouth University for which I attend one day a week with the other four days spent working.
I am currently in my second year of studies and progressing well with the course. I am involved in several different areas of planning within the team such as development management for minerals and waste as well as County Council development, strategic planning and supporting infrastructure delivery.
DCC has been supportive of my university work and has also given me the opportunity to work within several areas of planning whilst undertaking a variety of projects allowing me to increase my knowledge and experiences. I joined the team in 2023 and have really enjoyed the variety of the work I have undertaken. I have also been supported by colleagues who are friendly and have a great depth of knowledge. I am really enjoying my time at DCC which has given me the chance to meet some amazing people and travel across a beautiful part of the country.
Daliya – Planning Administration Officer
Before joining the DCC planning team as an administration officer in 2023, I worked at DCC for over 15 years. I started as a Data Clerk with the Learn Devon team and later became a Legal Secretary in the Legal team. My time at DCC has been fulfilling, offering diverse experiences and a healthy work-life balance. I am proud to be part of a DCC that cares about staff well-being.
I am now delighted to be part of the dynamic, supportive, and knowledgeable planning team. I always receive help with a friendly attitude, which motivates me to do well in my job. My responsibilities include managing planning applications, maintaining accurate records, and directing enquiries to the appropriate person.
Corbin – Business Administration Apprentice
I joined DCC last year as an apprentice in business administration and I am currently working between the areas of planning.
Whilst working at DCC I have been able to expand what I know and learn more about the county and the work that goes into the area I live. I enjoy working for DCC due to the variety of work I do and the team who are always willing to answer any queries I may have.