'Planning Aid is a voluntary service offering free, independent and professional advice on town planning matters to community groups and individuals who cannot afford to employ a planning consultant.'

Local Government Association's Planning Aid concordat 2004

The Planning Aid service was started by the Town and Country Planning Association in 1973.  Although completely independent from local planning authorities (LPAs), the aim of this voluntary service is to complement the work that LPAs are doing. Since it was launched, the service has worked hard to involve communities in the planning process. 

The Local Government Association (LGA), the Planning Officers Society (POS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) have recently published a 'concordat' - an agreement - that demonstrates their joint commitment to developing and extending the Planning Aid service, and which invites local authorities to share that commitment through practical action.

If you are a community group or an individual who is interested in finding out more about Planning Aid, visit the RTPI website (this page opens in a new window).

Alternatively you can find a list of contacts on the RTPI website:

Planning aid contacts (this page opens in a new window)