It’s all change within the Cairngorms National Park Authority’s (CNPA) planning team with the appointment of a new Head of Planning and several other new members of staff.
Simon Harrison is the new Head of Planning at the CNPA with the previous head planner Don McKee – who has been with the organisation for nine years – taking on the role of Head of Major Projects and Housing, dealing with the likes of An Camas Mòr and the dualling of the A9.
Before joining the CNPA, Simon Harrison ran his own chartered planning and development surveyors business in Livingston, working on a range of private and public sector projects. He was also previously Chairman of the RICS International Planning and Development Group Board. Simon has broad range of experience across many aspects of planning and development delivery and says that the opportunity to work for the UK’s largest National Park was one he couldn’t resist.
He said: “I am really looking forward to helping deliver a first class planning service in the Cairngorms National Park.”
Don McKee added: “I’m extremely pleased that I now have a role where I can devote my time and energy to the delivery of major projects so they truly reflect the Park’s special qualities. In addition I’ll be working with communities, local authorities, housing associations and others to help deliver the range of affordable housing that the Park requires.”
Working alongside Don and Simon is the new Development Management Manager, Jane Shepherd and two planning officers, Katherine Donnachie and Fiona Murphy, all based in Grantown. From January, a new full-time housing officer Rachel Danemann will also be part of the team helping communities with the delivery of affordable housing.
Murray Ferguson, the Park Authority’s Director of Planning and Rural Development commented on the new look team: “We are going through a period of significant change in the Planning department and I’m delighted to be leading such a well-qualified and experienced team. We will be working together to put in place a further series of improvements to our service over the next few months.”