Laying the foundations for a career in planning

Kirsty McGrory combines study and work to help tackle Scotland’s housing emergency.

Kirsty McGrory, from Cardowan, began her career with Persimmon Homes West Scotland as a Customer Care Administrator in August 2021, before being promoted to Customer Care Coordinator in June 2023. She is now embarking on a BSc (Hons) Town Planning degree at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), supported by Persimmon through a workplace learning and day release programme.

Alongside her studies, Kirsty will gain experience with Persimmon’s Land and Planning Team, where she will assist the team in gaining planning consents for new housing sites across the west of Scotland.

Her new journey comes at a critical time. Scotland is facing a housing emergency, with demand for new homes outstripping supply, while a shortage of qualified planners – around 500 vacancies across the country’s 32 local authorities – threatens to stall development further.

To help plug the gap, UWS launched the Town Planning Workplace Learning degree in collaboration with councils and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). The four-year programme allows students to “earn while they learn”, combining academic study with practical planning experience.

Chris Logan, Managing Director of Persimmon West Scotland, said:
"We’re delighted to support Kirsty as she begins this exciting next step in her career.

“Scotland urgently needs more qualified planners to help meet housing demand and deliver sustainable growth, and initiatives like this will make a real difference.

“At Persimmon, we’re proud to invest in our people and to play our part in building the skills needed to create the communities of the future."

Kirsty McGrory added:
"I’m excited to work with the Land team, engaging in the planning process and helping shape safe, sustainable communities.

“Revitalising urban areas and developing brownfield sites is particularly exciting, and this course gives me the skills to become a successful Planner while gaining hands-on experience."

Persimmon is the UK’s largest homebuilder and is rated as a five-star builder by the Home Builders Federation, with more than 90% of customers saying they would recommend the company.