Landscape Planner

Salary
Graduate: £20,000
Employee with 10-15 years in the role: £25,000 to £40,000

Main Employers

• Public sector organisations
• Landscape design and management companies
• NGOs and voluntary organisations
• Construction industry

Job Profile
Landscape planners are concerned with the location, scenic, ecological and recreational aspects of urban, rural and coastal land use. They are particularly involved with large scale projects implemented over a long period of time and a wide geographical area. The objectives of landscape planners are similar to those of landscape designers but their projects tend to be larger in scale, longer in duration and implemented by many contracts.

Roles and Responsibilities
Jobs will vary according to each employer; however you could expect to be involved in:

• Preparing designs
• Investigating construction details, planting plans and contract documents 
• Processing application for consent for work to protected trees and trees in conservation areas
• Giving advice to the public

Qualifications
Relevant further education subjects include: Architecture; Art; Biology; Botany; Ecology; Geography; Geology; Horticulture; Landscape Architecture

Most entrants to the landscape sector have a degree in Landscape Architecture accredited by the Landscape Institute. Some may have undertaken training such as a Gardener’s Apprenticeship scheme. The minimum requirements are two A-levels or their equivalent, of which Art, Biology, Botany and Geography are particularly relevant.

Related work experience is useful and may be paid or voluntary.

Career Development
Around half of all landscape planners work in small private practices that specialise in certain types of landscapes. There is a clear career path in local government but in other organisations it is often necessary to change employer or location to gain managerial responsibility. Senior positions are limited in number as this is a fairly small profession. However, jobs are expected to increase due to a growing demand for incorporating natural elements into man-made environments, along with the need to meet a wide array of environmental restrictions. There is also great need for landscape planners to specialise in planning for agriculture, rivers, park planning, reservoirs, rivers, transport, urbanisation and other land uses.

Salaries in the public and private sector are broadly similar. Higher salaries can be achieved by those who take on broader corporate management responsibilities. 

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