Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland

ECTP-CEU member since: 1985
Amount of own members: 23000
President: Stephen Wilkinson
Delegate(s): Patricia Hennessy
Vincent GOODSTADT (UK Rep until Autumn 2017)
Noel RIORDAN (Irish Rep until end of 2016)
Janet ASKEW (UK Rep from Autumn 2017)
John Downey (Irish Rep from beginning 2017)

Contacts: 41 Botolph Lane
UK – London EC3R 8DL
tel : +44-20-7929 9494
fax : +44-20-7929 8199
E-mail: international@rtpi.org.uk
Web: http://www.rtpi.org.uk


Annual RTPI report to ECTP-CEU
*note: the RTPI has members in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland and has representatives for each. Therefore information is this form is reflected for both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.


Projects presented by the RTPI to the ECTP-CEU European and Regional Planning Awards:

2016 – the 11th Edition

• the City of Plymouth for the Plan of Plymouth: Special mention

2012 – 9th Edition:

• Huntingdonshire – The Great Fen

2010 – 8th Edition:

• London – High Speed One
• Liverpool – Liverpool One – Regeneration, Renewal, Reinvention: Winner

2008 – 7th Edition:

• London – London Borough of Merton Renewable Energy Policy
• London – Stonebridge, London Community Regeneration: Winner

2006 – 6th Edition:

• Birmingham – The Bullring: Winner


Country Factsheet
United Kingdom (UK)
The United Kingdom comprises four countries which are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; each of them has devolved administration powers, different from country to country.

Capital City (UK) London
Population 63,182,000
Area (km2) 244 820
Population Density 259 per km2
EU Membership United Kingdom joined what is now known as the EU in 1973.
Note: devolved capitals include – London (England); Edinburgh (Scotland); Cardiff (Wales) and Belfast (Northern Ireland)

Republic of Ireland
Capital City Dublin
Population 4,757,976
Area (km2) 70,273 km2
Population Density 67.7/km2
EU Membership The Republic of Ireland joined what is now known as the EU in 1973.


Ministry contacts

United Kingdom (UK)

NOTE: Planning is a devolved function and each nation has their own planning system.

England
Department for Communities and Local Government
2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF
Phone: 030 3444 0000
Email: press.office@communities.gsi.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-communities-and-local-government

Scotland
Scottish Government
Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ
Tel: (+44) 131 244 7412
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/planning

Wales
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Tel: (+44) 1443 845500
Email: CustomerHelp@Wales.GSI.Gov.UK
Website: http://gov.wales/topics/planning/?lang=en

Northern Ireland
Department for Infrastructure
Clarence Court
10-18 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8GB
Tel: 0300 200 7830
E-mail: planning@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
Website: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/

Republic of Ireland

Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

Custom House, Dublin, D01 W6X0
Tel: Phone: +353 (0)1 888 2000
Email: qcsofficer@housing.gov.ie
Website: http://www.housing.gov.ie/


Planning as a Regulated Profession in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland

There are no barriers to working as a town planner in the UK and the Republic of Ireland as it is not a regulated profession. Professionals use the term ‘town planner’.
However, the title ‘chartered town planner’ is a protected title, (MRTPI – is used by Chartered Town Planners), which is regulated by the Royal Town Planning Institute in both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

The RTPI is the only body in the UK responsible for the professional certification of planners.

In the Republic of Ireland, the RTPI and the Irish Planning Institute are both responsible for professional certification.

Professional Title:
The common professional title is “Town Planner” and all those working in planning may use this title.

The protected title is “Chartered Town Planner” and you need to be a full chartered member of the RTPI (MRTPI) in order to be allowed to use this title.

EU Database Status:
The profession of planner in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland is included in the European Union Database of Regulated Professions and it’s a protected title.

National Regulation:
Through the RTPI in each country.

Regional regulation:
None.


Universities with approved trainings in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland
Courses leading to the profession of Town Planner and accredited by the RTPI can be found here:
www.rtpi.org.uk/education-and-careers/find-a-course/accredited-qualifications 


Town Planning Press of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland

• The Planner (The RTPI’s official magazine)
• Planning Theory and Practice
• Town and Country Planning (TCPA’s official magazine)
• Planning Resource


REGULATION
See all relevant government websites:

England:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-communities-and-local-government
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200136/policy_and_legislation 

Scotland:
www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/Development-Planning/Legislation

Wales:
www.gov.wales/topics/planning/legislation/?lang=en

Northern Ireland:
www.planningni.gov.uk/index/policy_legislation.htm

Ireland:
www.environ.ie/planning/legislation/planning-legislation


PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND COMMUNICATION
See all relevant government websites:

England:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-communities-and-local-government
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200136/policy_and_legislation 

Scotland:
www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/Development-Planning/Legislation 

Wales:
www.gov.wales/topics/planning/legislation/?lang=en 

Northern Ireland:
www.planningni.gov.uk/index/policy_legislation.htm 

Ireland:
www.environ.ie/planning/legislation/planning-legislation 


PLANNING LEGISLATION

England:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-communities-and-local-government
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200136/policy_and_legislation 

Scotland:
www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/Development-Planning/Legislation

Wales:
www.gov.wales/topics/planning/legislation/?lang=en

Northern Ireland:
www.planningni.gov.uk/index/policy_legislation.htm

Ireland:
www.environ.ie/planning/legislation/planning-legislation


Websites
Royal Town Planning Institute:
www.rtpi.org.uk/

Irish Planning Institute:
www.ipi.ie/

Department for Communities and Local Government (England only)
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-communities-and-local-government

Planning Portal (England only)
www.planningportal.gov.uk/

Welsh Government (Wales only)
www.gov.wales/topics/planning/?lang=en

Scottish Government (Scotland only)
www.gov.scot/#slide/3

Northern Ireland Government Services (Northern Ireland only)
www.nidirect.gov.uk/

Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (Republic of Ireland only)
http://www.housing.gov.ie/ 

Planning Aid England
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-communities-and-local-government 

Planning Aid Scotland (PAS)
http://pas.org.uk/

Planning Aid Wales (Wales only)
http://www.planningaidwales.org.uk/

Citizens Information Board (Northern Ireland only)
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/planning_permission/

Regulated Profession Database of the European Commission:
www.ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/regprof/