With the suspension of public exhibitions for major planning applications, digital engagement events have taken their place.
During this roundtable discussion, we draw together key players in their fields to examine how effective this has been to date, the lessons learnt and the experiences of those undertaking engagement.
We will also look at how this approach could potentially shape consultations in a post-COVID-19 world.
There will be a short roundtable discussion between the speakers followed by opportunities for a live Q&A.
Discussion
Alastair Stewart, Account Manager, Orbit Communications – Alastair will highlight the practicalities and evaluation of digital engagement, using real-life examples.
Neil Collar, Head of Planning Law, Brodies – Neil will set the planning context for the introduction of digital engagement events and what the future may hold.
Nick Wright, Director, Nick Wright Planning – Nick will highlight some of the ways that developers have used digital engagement before the pandemic started, highlighting recent Scottish Land Commission research on early engagement.
Lesley Carus, Senior Planning Officer, City of Edinburgh Council, will outline her experience of digital consultations undertaken to date from a Council perspective.
Roundtable
Alastair Stewart, Orbit Communications
Alastair is an account manager at Orbit Communications leading on designing and implementing digital consultations for clients.
Alastair is a strategic public affairs specialist with private sector, parliamentary and non-government organisation experience. He is a national columnist specialising in Scottish and UK politics and devolution.
Neil Collar, Partner, Brodies
Neil is an experienced adviser, inquiry advocate, blogger, author and conference speaker. He boasts a reputation as one of Scotland’s best-known planning lawyers.
Neil has over 25 years’ experience as a planning lawyer. His work spans all aspects of the planning process, planning applications, appeals and inquiries (including inquiry advocacy), court actions, planning issues in relation to land acquisition and disposal, compulsory purchase and compensation, listed buildings and conservation areas, and trees.
Nick Wright, Nick Wright Planning
Nick is a chartered town planner, a qualified mediator and a trained facilitator.
After fifteen years working as a town planner in Scottish local authorities and community housing development in Indonesia, he established Nick Wright Planning in 2004. He is also a former Convener of RTPI Scotland and former Chair of Planning Aid for Scotland.
Lesley Carus, City of Edinburgh Council
Lesley is the planning team manager of the Waterfront Area Team, covering major applications in the waterfront and north areas of the city.
This includes overseeing the redevelopment of large regeneration areas such as Granton and Western Harbours, as well as other major brownfield developments at Powderhall and Leith.