Training Programmes

Certificated Course in Planning Enforcement

The Certificated Enforcement programme has been running since 1996 and has set the standard for certificated training in this specialist field.

This programme is aimed at:

  • unqualified staff working in planning enforcement (especially Enforcement Officers) who want to gain a systematic framework for their jobs and obtain a qualification in their particular field
  • qualified staff who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in enforcement as part of their professional development
  • planning staff who are new to the enforcement field and wish to complement their experience with systematic and certificated training.

To obtain the Certificate it is necessary to successfully complete four modules. Successful completion involves attending two, two-day training sessions at Madingley Hall, Cambridge and achieving a satisfactory standard in a series of practical assignments (which usually relate to workplace situations).

Each course module costs £795.00 + VAT. We can also arrange B&B accommodation at Madingley Hall for £65.00 + VAT per night.

Main Course Tutor: Vivien Green

Planning enforcement and advertisement control
Course Type: Certificated Course at Madingley Hall, Cambridge
Dates: 31 Jan 2012 to 1 Feb 2012 - Madingley Hall, Cambridge
7 Mar 2012 to 8 Mar 2012 - Madingley Hall, Cambridge
Planning enforcement and material change of use
Course Type: Certificated Course at Madingley Hall, Cambridge
Dates: 10 May 2012 to 11 May 2012 - Madingley Hall, Cambridge
21 Jun 2012 to 22 Jun 2012 - Madingley Hall, Cambridge
Key Principles of Planning and Enforcement
Course Type: Certificated Course at Madingley Hall, Cambridge
Dates: 1 Oct 2012 to 2 Oct 2012 - Madingley Hall, Cambridge
5 Nov 2012 to 6 Nov 2012 - Madingley Hall, Cambridge
Planning enforcement and operational development
Course Type: Certificated Course at Madingley Hall, Cambridge
Dates: 3 Oct 2012 to 4 Oct 2012 - Madingley Hall, Cambridge
7 Nov 2012 to 8 Nov 2012 - Madingley Hall, Cambridge
Planning enforcement procedures and practical use of the toolkit
Course Type: Certificated Course at Madingley Hall, Cambridge
Dates: 21 Jan 2013 to 22 Jan 2013 - Madingley Hall, Cambridge
11 Mar 2013 to 12 Mar 2013 - Madingley Hall, Cambridge

Please note: TRA previously had an arrangement whereby these programmes operated under the auspices of the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education. Anyone who completed four modules successfully before the end of 2009 was awarded the Certificate via the Institute.  This arrangement expired at the end of 2009 and any student successfully completing four modules after the beginning of 2010 will be awarded the Certificate directly from Trevor Roberts Associates. Despite the change in the awarding body, all other aspects of the courses and certification (quality and standards, Tutors, assignments, assessment and moderation) have remained exactly as before.

Trevor Roberts Associates - University of Cambridge Certified Courses

Booking form

A general booking form for this programme can be downloaded here. 

RTPI Technical Membership

The Enforcement Certificate is recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute as an "approved qualification" for Route 1 into Technical Membership, in conjunction with an approved distance learning course; and as providing full exemption from the report requirement for Route 2. Further details available on request.

Comments from some of the students

So far 126 students have successfully completed the enforcement programme and been awarded the Certificate in Planning Enforcement.

  • An incredibly valuable course. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to develop an appreciation of enforcement in the planning system.
  • These courses have really helped to give Enforcement Officers some level of recognition within the planning field - and not before time!
  • I would like to congratulate you on conducting very professionally composed and very informative sessions which have already been of immense benefit to me in my work.
  • The four modules together have been very rewarding and given me extensive knowledge which would have otherwise taken years to establish.

  • I was originally nervous of undertaking further education but after completing my first module I now feel more confident in both myself and my work.

  • The detail in which the course is taught and the methods of teaching are second to none. Its hard, but if you put the work in, you will get so much more than you expected.

  • The TRA modules provide the best enforcement training there is. They have considerably added to my knowledge and confidence to do the job.

More comments from students are available here.