Planning Skills and Ethics

Overview

The course extends over one semester and is structured to provide students with a comprehensive grasp of the key issues underpinning planning skills and ethics. It will draw upon enacted legislation, Circulars and Planning Policy Guidance, and Good Practice Guides that govern the procedure and processes of determining planning applications. This will be followed by 'hands on' experience of making decisions on a planning application.

Learning Objectives

On completion of the module students should:

1. Gained in depth knowledge of the role of the linkages between forward planning, development management and enforcement.
2. Have come to terms with the core techniques involved in development management.
3. Become aware of the critical importance of the concept of project management and how to manage their time effectively.
4. Have developed the confidence to express ideas and opinions in a public forum.
5. Acknowledge that development decisions have differing impacts on different people, and develop the capacity to identify and explain these impacts so that they can be properly taken into account in planning decision-making.
6. Demonstrate the ability to reach decisions or to make recommendations in which the significance of such strategies, plans or programmes is balanced with other relevant factors that ought to be taken into account.
7. Be able to explain the political and ethical nature of spatial planning and reflect on how planners work effectively within democratic decision-making structures.
8. Be able to debate the concept of rights and the legal and practical implications of representing these rights in planning decision-making process.
9. Be able to demonstrate effective research, analytical, evaluative and appraisal skills and the ability to reach appropriate, evidence based decisions.
10. Recognise the role of communication skills in the planning process and the importance of working in an inter-disciplinary context, and be able to demonstrate negotiation, mediation, and advocacy and leadership skills.
11. Distinguish the characteristics of a professional, including the importance of upholding the highest standards of ethical behaviour and a commitment to lifelong learning and critical reflection so as to maintain and develop professional competence.

Skills

How to apply a broad range of planning techniques. Interpersonal communication skills. Ability to interpret planning legislation and policy. Time management. Project management. Leadership. Team working. Motivation.

Assessment

Students must pass all assessment components.