Residents in the Cairngorms National Park are being encouraged to attend a free workshop which has been designed to take the mystique out of the planning system.
The Planning for People workshops are being held in Ballater and Boat of Garten and are aimed at anyone with an interest in land use, planning or community regeneration.
Everything from understanding how the planning system works in the National Park and the planning role of communities, to knowing which developments need planning permission, and how best to respond to planning applications and issues are covered.
Training projects manager at the Cairngorms National Park Authority Kate Christie said: “These excellent one-day workshops are geared at helping people to make informed choices when it comes to planning. They are conveniently scheduled on a Saturday and those attending are likely to learn how to prepare higher quality planning applications which should help them save time and respond more effectively.”
The workshops are being supported and funded by the Cairngorms National Park Authority and Planning Aid for Scotland – a national charity that provides free and independent information, advice and training on all aspects of town and country planning.
“The Planning Aid for Scotland volunteers who will deliver the courses are all professionally qualified town planners. Members of the CNPA’s planning team will also be on hand to provide information on local planning perspectives,” said Kate.
Planning for People is being provided through the Cairngorms Awareness and Pride project which aims to give local residents an increased understanding of the aims of the National Park through a range of free courses.
The Planning for People workshops are being held in Boat of Garten Community Hall on Saturday 1st March and at the Glen Lui Hotel, Ballater on Saturday 8th March between 9.30am and 3.30pm. To book a place or for further information on other courses coming up in 2008 contact Kate Christie or Sam Masson on 01479 870535/537 or email [email protected] or [email protected]