The neighbouring communities of Dunkeld and Birnam in Perthshire are locations for this training day. They benefit from multiple and overlapping heritage designations. We will review the history of planning in Dunkeld, and consider the many challenges and opportunities facing today’s planners in allowing development while conserving the two settlements’ rich built heritage.
10.00am – 10.45am Tea/ Coffee on arrival (a northbound train from Perth, Stirling and Glasgow arrives
at Dunkeld & Birnam Station at 10.18am).10.45am – 11.00am INTRODUCTION by John Cooney, Planning Officer, Perth & Kinross Council.
11.00am – 11.40am THE REPLANNING OF DUNKELD: THREE CENTURIES OF CHANGE - Presentation by Christopher
Dingwall, Heritage Consultant.
11.40am – 12.20pm BUILT HERITAGE: ADDING VALUE IN DEVELOPMENT PLANNING - Presentation by Hector
Martin, Built Heritage Officer, Fife Council
12.20pm – 12.30pm Discussion
12.30pm – 12 45pm BRIEFING BY P&KC FOR WALKABOUT – Organising Groups, Safety etc.
12.45pm – 1.45pm Comfort Break and Sandwich Lunch
1.45pm – 3.45pm WALKABOUT: CONSERVATION IN SCOTLAND’S BEST PLACE TO LIVE 2023. Led by Diane Barbary and Jody Blake, Conservation Officers, and Alasdair Finlayson, Planning Officer in Perth & Kinross Council
3.45pm – 4.15pm PLENARY SESSION chaired by Sepideh Hajisoltani, Planning Officer, Aberdeen City Council
4.15pm Disperse (north/south bound trains leave Dunkeld & Birnam station 16.37)
Speakers:
John Cooney - Since graduating from the University of Westminster with an MA in Urban and Regional Planning in 2016, John has worked in Development Management in London and Falkirk, before taking up his current post as a Planning Officer with Perth and Kinross Council. He is a member of the RTPI Scottish Executive Committee and of the Scottish Young Planners Network Steering Group.
Christopher Dingwall – Since graduating with an MA in Conservation Studies from the University of York Christopher has worked for more than thirty years as an independent heritage consultant and lecturer, as well as serving part-time as Conservation Officer with the Garden History Society in Scotland. He has a special interest in the conservation of Perthshire’s historic gardens and designed landscapes.
Hector Martin – Having been employed by UNESCO as an architectural conservation consultant, Hector has also worked as an Inspector of Historic Buildings with Historic England, and as a locum Conservation Officer in East Anglia and the Midlands before taking up his current post as Built Heritage Officer with Fife Council. He has experience of offering conservation planning, strategic advice and detailed technical solutions on the development of historic buildings.
Diane Barbary – Having studied archaeology at the University of Glasgow, Diane went on to graduate from the University of Dundee’s School of Planning with an MSc in European Urban Conservation. After spending time in Beijing, she has worked in Development Management in both Angus and Fife before taking up her present position as Conservation Officer with Perth and Kinross Council.
Alasdair Finlayson – Since graduating from the University of Strathclyde with a BA in Planning in 1999, Alasdair has worked across consultancy, development management and development planning before taking up his current position as Planning Officer with Perth and Kinross Council. He is a member of the RTPI.
Jody Blake – Having grown up in Sydney and studied architecture at the University of Newcastle (Australia), Jody obtained an MA in Heritage Conservation from the University of Sydney. Since graduating she has worked in both public and private sectors as a heritage consultant and Conservation Officer in Australia and the United Kingdom. She is a Conservation Officer with Perth and Kinross Council and a member of IHBC.
Dr Sepideh Hajisoltani – With a multidisciplinary background in architecture, town planning and conservation, Sepideh is a past Chair of the Scottish Young Planners Network, and current member of IHBC and of the RTPI Scotland Executive Committee. With a special interest in education and training standards, she is currently working as a Planner with Aberdeen City Council.
Delegates should be prepared for the afternoon walkabout with appropriate warm and waterproof clothing and strong footwear.
