Laura Waters Email: laurawaters_18@hotmail.com Mobile: 07825914615

Town Planning Masters graduate currently working as a planner for Norfolk County Council in the Infrastructure and Economic Growth team. I am presently a licentiate member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and now working towards gaining full chartership. EDUCATION 2012-2015 Masters Degree in Town planning (Distinction) from Anglian Ruskin

University – undertaken on a part time basis whilst working at NCC. Modules included: plan making and policy, planning and society, planning implementation and housing. These required a range of assessment skills such as written reports and oral presentations, which increased my confidence and ability professionally. Awarded a distinction level mark for my thesis focusing on planning appeals and five year housing land supply. Recognised by University, receiving the RTPI award for outstanding achievement in environmental planning in 2014.

2008- 2011 BSc Environmental Sciences Degree (2:1), University of East Anglia 2005-2007 4 A-Levels grades AABC

2000-2005 9 GCSE’s grades A*-B EMPLOYMENT

Dec 2011- present: Planner at Norfolk County Council

Working as part of a team of planning professionals to achieve the agreed work program for the County, the main focus is to coordinate and respond to Local Plan consultations. This involves working in partnership with colleagues from district councils. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the process planning documents have to go through to be adopted and recognising what is expected at each consultation phase. I particularly respond on infrastructure delivery and analyse how housing delivery can work together with the existing infrastructure and identify any new facilities that would be required to make a development successful.

Experience of planning policy in the public sector with up to date knowledge of the national planning policy framework and an understanding of the implications of the localism act for planning documents, consultations and applications. This includes responding to neighbourhood plans and attending public events.

Lead on producing evidence based monitoring reports from both primary and secondary data. These include housing, employment land and retail reports which are used by many different sources including the district and parish councils. As a result of producing these reports I have knowledge of technical

data such as housing trajectories, five year housing land supply and targets, which can then be input into wider plans and strategies. This also involves inputting and updating this information into databases, which can then be used to inform future work. I have carried out many site visits for different purposes and feel comfortable being unaccompanied.

Respond on a daily basis to planning applications from the district councils and developers particularly relating to Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy contributions. By coordinating responses from up to five different departments I have a good overview of the different areas that need to be considered as part of the planning application process. By building good relationships with these departments and the district councils/developers ensures successful responses to planning applications. This includes appearing at planning appeals when applications are refused, requiring up to date knowledge of planning policy, being analytical of a wide range of sources and evidence and then presenting a clear and concise case to the planning inspector.

Support and lead on working groups both internally for NCC and on projects with external partners such as district councils, utilities companies and the environment agency. This involves chairing, organising and supporting meetings such as the Norfolk strategic planning group, Norfolk infrastructure plan steering group and the duty to cooperate member forum. Outcomes of leading/supporting these groups has been producing and presenting reports to fellow officers but also to outside agencies and county council members.

Currently work on a wide range of projects meaning I have to prioritise and manage my time to ensure all commitments are met this includes working flexibly where required. Different projects have to be produced in different formats so I have proficiency in MS Office, publishing software such as InDesign and confident in making maps for reports with a good working knowledge of GIS systems such as ArcGIS.

Enjoy working as part of a team and have initiated new ways of working such as moving a 10 year old paper “database” onto an electronic system meaning flexible working was made an option for other members of staff. Reviewing the old land use monitoring system by working more closely with district colleagues and utilising the technology available meant the monitoring time was reduced by half and the information collected was of a better quality.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS Full drivers’ license REFEREES Available on request.