John is Chartered Town Planner and an associate member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors with over 15 years of practice in the planning profession.
After graduating from Dundee University in 2005 with a Town and Planning degree John undertook planning work in a number of local authorities within the Central Belt and Tayside.
John has managed, assessed and reported on a varied planning, regeneration, development and environmental caseload. This has encompassed projects in the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework, major applications, strategic development sites associated with local plan allocations and a plethora of mineral and energy infrastructure projects that were subject to Environmental Impact Assessment procedures.
Involvement with these forms of development has resulted in gaining an in-depth knowledge of legislation in respect of planning and environmental consents and how to manage risk through the planning and development process.
Accreditation
Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, 2008
Associate of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, 2017
Areas of Planning Interest
Permitted Development
Environmental Impact Assessment Screening
Certificates of Lawful Use
Due to the controversial nature of the caseload, a variety of appeal work has been undertaken, including claims for expenses, the preparation of statements of cases and participating in Public Hearing/Local Inquiries with legal representatives, Queens Counsel and expert witnesses.
John’s work has been commended as part of the Scottish Planning Awards 2014, shortlisted at the National Planning Awards 2015, reached the finals of the 2018 European Natura 2000 Awards and recognised at the 2018 Scottish Planning Award finals.
John has expanded his planning and development knowledge by undertaking a Construction Management Course as well as further studies with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Pursuing his own development and land acquisition projects has provided an understanding in company structures, governance, finance, taxation, the use of legal agreements to control rights in land as well as sharpening his negotiation and communication skills.