Applied through
Licentiate APC (L-APC)
Commended
PES & PCS
Qualifications:
- MSc in Urban Planning (Regeneration) at University of Newcastle Upon Tyne
My career:
I completed an undergraduate degree in Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London in 2021, where I developed a keen interest in Planning and Regeneration. This led me to enrol on the MSc Urban Planning course at Newcastle University, graduating in 2022. After completing my postgraduate course, I started a full time position at Avison Young, where I have worked for two and a half years.
Since joining Avison Young, I have gained experience in various elements of the UK planning system, having worked with a range of clients across both the private and public sector. Notably, I have had the opportunity to assist in the large-scale regeneration of Pilgrim Street in Newcastle City Centre, representing a key strategic regeneration project in the North of England. The scheme represents a major mixed-use redevelopment of a key gateway site for Newcastle, including office buildings, leisure uses, and public realm improvements. This has reinforced my interest in strategic planning and placemaking.
Day to day, I am responsible for the management of planning applications through to approval, involving the preparation of written documents, site appraisals, and engagement with Local Planning Authorities.
I submitted my APC in August 2024 after two years of full-time work.
APC tips
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Focus on One Case Study – It can be difficult to demonstrate that you have achieved the ten competencies within the recommended word limit for the PCS. Using a single case study ensures that you don’t waste valuable words contextualising more than one project, while ensuring that the PCS retains a clear and focused structure.
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Remember the Criteria for the PCS – Each competency contains its’ own criteria, which ensures that your PCS must tick a lot of boxes! To simplify the writing process, it may be useful to print out a separate checklist that lists the ten competencies and their criteria to refer back to – this was you are less likely to forget a certain competency or criteria within your written statement.
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Make use of Footnotes – Given the challenge of staying within the word limit, it will be beneficial to use footnotes throughout your PES and PDP, referring back to your reflective journal. This can save you valuable words while contextualising certain tasks that you have completed. Although, it is important to avoid excessive use of footnotes throughout your submission.