♻️⚡️ New Information Sheet on Consenting Processes for Renewable Energy Developments Do you have renewable energy projects in your area and want to understand more about proposals such as a new wind farm, solar farm, hydro scheme or battery storage project? Read here: www.pas.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Support the next generation of planners… We are looking for experienced planners for our Licentiate Mentoring Scheme. Support a Licentiate Planner to respond to an Advice Service case – around 2 hours/month from Jan to June 2026. 📧Contact [email protected] for more info. 🔗Learn more: lnkd.in/eBZKpuYH

📢We’re #hiring: We are looking for an efficient and experienced colleague to join our team as a #Governance & #Finance Officer. You will be responsible for governance, finance, people, and office systems and processes... 📅 Deadline: 15 October 🔗 www.pas.org.uk/news/governance-finance-officer

📢We’re #hiring: We’re looking for a new Chief Executive to lead Planning Aid Scotland into the next exciting chapter. Are you a dynamic & inspiring leader who shares our passion for putting communities at the heart of #planning... 📅 Deadline: 5pm 14 October 🔗 www.pas.org.uk/news/new-chief-executive

The deadline for the Local Place Plans survey has been extended to 15 Sept. We want to hear from you: - What's working well? - Where is more support needed? - How can the process be improved? Please share widely with your network. Thank you! 🔗 www.pas.org.uk/news/localplaceplancommunitysurvey

Today, we announce a change of leadership at Planning Aid Scotland as Johanna Boyd, our Chief Executive, has announced she will be stepping down from the role at the end of October. 🔗 www.pas.org.uk/news/a-new-chapter/ @johannaboyd.bsky.social

Integrity, impartiality, collaboration, inclusion, innovation – these aren’t just words, but the building blocks for everything we do as an organisation. Why? We believe in an inclusive society where communities are empowered to shape decisions about their place. 🔗 www.pas.org.uk/news/newstrategy

Hear from @johannaboyd.bsky.social on her experience of #leadership, the complexities of leading in the current climate, and the values today’s leaders need to navigate these uncertain times. 🔗 www.pas.org.uk/news/leadership-in-uncertain-times/ #CharityLeadership #ValuesBasedLeadership

One participant said they valued the “good variety of exercises and engagement methods”, while another highlighted the benefit of “learning different approaches and ideas from others” and “working together in group-based learning”. #SP=EED #CommunityEngagement #TrainingScotland

Find out what we've been up to by subscribing to our quarterly newsletter: -Get to know our volunteers -Learn about a new survey on Local Place Plans -Read insights into our Advice Service 🔗Subscribe: subscribepage.io/planningaids... 🔗Read the July newsletter: preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webvi...

Having supported seven communities in 2024 to develop Local Place Plans, it is great to see this work come to fruition with the plans being registered with their respective councils. 🔗Gairloch #LPP is the latest to be registered – read it online: www.pas.org.uk/news/update-on-local-place-plans/

Our next Community Engagement Skills Training is in Glasgow! 1 Oct 2025 at 10am. Cost: £250. Places for our upcoming SP=EED training are filling fast, don’t miss your chance to gain practical tools and techniques for meaningful community engagement. Book here: forms.office.com/e/0ye5beRm3V

Recently we brought our SP=EED training to Edinburgh, and what an energising session it turned out to be! Focusing on best practice in community engagement, the training was hands-on and highly interactive, giving participants a chance to learn by doing. #SP=EED #ScotlandTraining

In this blog, we meet David, a volunteer who has been invaluable in helping us develop content for our Graduate Training Scheme. David is passionate about playing an active role in his community and got into planning to help create wonderful places. 🔗 www.pas.org.uk/news/meet-david/

Please complete our survey if you have any experience of #localplaceplans! We want to hear your views 🙂

We are pleased to launch the Local Walking and Wheeling Action Plan for Kelty. Developed in collaboration with @fifecouncil.bsky.social and the local community, this plan reflects local priorities. 🎥 Watch the video to see how community voices shaped the plan: www.facebook.com/watch/?v=108...

🟡 Last few places remaining! Join us in Edinburgh on 18 June at 10am for our next SP=EED® training — a full day of learning focused on the best practice in community engagement. Cost: £250 per person Local authority staff: 20% discount available (£200) Book here: forms.office.com/e/XDZ3JH3nkC

Our volunteers gave 900+ hours of their time in 2024/25, generously offering their expertise to help people across Scotland engage with the planning system. This #VolunteersWeek, we would like to celebrate their invaluable contribution. Thank you!👏

Our volunteers were an integral part of the Sustaining Choices project, working with our Projects & Training Officer, Diane Cassidy to run engagement events, analyse data and develop maps. As Diane says, “They’re skilled in many areas, not just planning. We’re so lucky to have them.” #VolunteersWeek

This #VolunteersWeek, join us in getting to know some of the people at the heart of Planning Aid Scotland, our volunteers! In this blog we meet Arushee, who has volunteered with us on various projects, including in Nairnshire and Stonehaven. www.pas.org.uk/news/meet-arushee/

If you’re RTPI chartered or have retired from RTPI chartership, you can join Graham and volunteer for our Advice Service – providing free planning advice to members of the public and community groups. This #VolunteersWeek we celebrate our volunteers. ➡️Join us! www.pas.org.uk/what-we-do/volunteering

A reminder about upcoming training sessions for Planning Aid Scotland volunteers! ➡️2:30pm, 20 May: Flood Resilience and Climate Impact in Planning ➡️12:30pm, 11 June: A Brief History of Planning Please check the newsletter for more information and the links to join.

💬Join us in getting to know some of the people at the heart of Planning Aid Scotland, our volunteers! In this first blog post we meet Graham Marchbank, a retired planner who has volunteered with us for 10 years. ➡️Read his top tips and fun facts on planning: www.pas.org.uk/news/meet-graham/

We presented to @cosla.gov.uk Environment & Economy Board on Elected Member Training. Our Chief Executive Johanna Boyd @johannaboyd.bsky.social and Planning & Policy Manager David Wood shared our routemap and engaged with representatives from 32 Scottish Councils and Heads of Planning Scotland.

Community Engagement Skills Training • Edinburgh – 18 June, 10am (The Crannie) – forms.office.com/e/XDZ3JH3nkC • Glasgow – 1 October, 10am (Edward House) – forms.office.com/e/0ye5beRm3V Cost: £250 per place Build confidence in consulting and engaging communities using the SP=EED framework.

🚶‍➡️We worked with communities in Ruthrieston, Fa’side, Eskdalemuir and Kelty to develop Local Walking and Wheeling Action Plans—bringing together the thoughts of 650+ people and outlining ways to encourage active travel. ➡️The reports are available on our website: www.pas.org.uk/news/new-action-plans/

Anne Krippler, our Planning & Projects Officer was delighted to attend the @rtpiplanners.bsky.social Scottish Young Planners' Conference today on 'The Purpose of Planning'. "What a great day – we were encouraged to be bold, speak up, and keep pushing the boundaries of planning." #SYPC25

Interested in our Licentiate Mentoring Scheme? Following the success of the second round, we take a look at how it works and share some of the feedback we received! Find out what the participants had to say: www.pas.org.uk/.../celebrat....

We have already logged 222 hours of volunteering in 2025! 👏Thank you to everyone who has given their time and expertise to support communities across Scotland–together we can help people have a say in the future of their local area. Interested in joining us? www.pas.org.uk/what-we-do/volunteering/

📢 New Training Alert! 📢 Join our SP=EED® Community Engagement Skills Training and explore innovative techniques that help people of all ages and backgrounds feel heard and involved. Date: Wed 18 June 2025, 10am Cost: £250 Book: forms.office.com/e/XDZ3JH3nkC 🔄 Please share to help spread the word.

Thank you to everyone who attended recent events to finalise walking & wheeling plans in Ruthrieston, Fa’side, Eskdalemuir & Kelty! From guided walks and crafting, to visioning workshops—we worked with the communities to develop action plans to improve their areas: www.pas.org.uk/news/walking-events

📅We will be at Stonehaven Town Hall from 2-7pm on Thursday 20 March to hear your thoughts about the conservation area boundary. 🚶‍➡️As part of the event, we will also lead two walking tours around the conservation area. Everyone is welcome! Find out more: www.pas.org.uk/news/stonehaven

There’s still time to share your thoughts on how to improve the natural environment around Carn Fearna. 🔗Fill out the online survey by Sunday 9 March: forms.office.com/e/EfSzLV7edE

The Scottish Public Law Group is holding a FREE seminar next week on Public Law and the Environment. The event is hybrid, taking place at the University of Edinburgh and online. 📅5:30pm Wednesday 19 March 🔗https://splg.co.uk/next-free-lecture-public-law-and-the-environment-19-march-2025/

Join us tomorrow for a discussion on Fa'side’s NEW Local Walking Action Plan. See the plan, ask questions and share your thoughts on improving walking in your community. Everyone is welcome. We hope to see you there! 📅Friday 7 March |⏰10:30am to 2pm |📍 Pencaitland Connections Café

⚠️Don’t forget the deadline for the Future Planners Programme: 19 March. It offers the opportunity for graduates to study towards a fully funded postgraduate degree in Planning, whilst gaining experience working across different areas of the Scottish Government: www.jobs.gov.scot/future-planners

A reminder to join us next week for the launch of a new walking group and a discussion on the Local Walking Action Plan for Ruthrieston. 📅Friday 14 March | ⏰12pm to 3pm | 📍 Ruthrieston Community Centre

Congratulations to @planningaidscot.bsky.social for becoming a Gold Standard 4-day week employer!🥳🥳 Their dedication to staff wellbeing and quality of service has been central to their move to a 4-day week, so it’s great to see they’ve had overwhelmingly positive results in both areas! 🙌

Planning Aid Scotland, on behalf of Statkraft, is hosting an event on improving the natural environment around Carn Fearna. How can we enhance access to facilities, improve walking and cycling routes, protect flora and fauna, and maximise benefits for the local area? 🔗 www.pas.org.uk/news/carnfearna

A reminder to join us next week to discuss the newly created Local Walking Action Plan for the Fa’side area. This is your opportunity to see the plan, ask questions and share your thoughts on improving walking in your community. We hope to see you there!

We’re officially a 4 Day Week Accredited Organisation! 🎉 We’re thrilled to share that we’ve received official accreditation from the #4DayWeek Foundation @4dayweek.bsky.social! We made the decision to permanently adopt a four-day work week — and the results have been overwhelmingly positive.

Join us at 📍Ruthrieston Community Centre ⏰12pm to 3pm on 📅Friday 14 March for an afternoon of walking, crafting and discussion on Ruthrieston’s new Local Walking Action Plan! Find out more about the Sustaining Choices programme: www.pas.org.uk/what-we-do/sustaining-choices/

Our charity’s Chief Executive @johannaboyd.bsky.social explained: “We are very pleased to receive accreditation from the 4 Day Week Foundation. We trialled the four-day work week initially and saw impressive results, in terms of productivity, staff wellbeing and overall impact on our culture.”

Join us on 📅Wed 5 March (📍Tranent Library) or 📅Fri 7 March (📍Pencaitland Connections Café) to hear about the new Local Walking Action Plan and share your views! Visit the map to see thoughts/ideas received so far: www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1c2XrT1sC4PIjKG_ygA7r0SkXcmY2rOI&hl=en&usp=sharing

🚶Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday at Kelty Community Centre for a guided walk and conversation on the NEW Local Walking Action Plan. A great discussion and helpful engagement on the next steps to improving walking and wheeling in the area!

Join us for a discussion on Kelty’s new Local Walking Action Plan. 📅Monday 10 February ⏰1.15pm 📍Kelty Community Centre Meet at 1.15pm for a walk followed by a discussion on the plan and a chance to share your views. More information: www.pas.org.uk/what-we-do/sustaining-choices/

This #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek we’re reflecting on the important role young people have in shaping the future of their places—by including them in the planning process we can create places that better support mental health & wellbeing and provide the open spaces & play opportunities they deserve.💚🛝

Planning Aid Scotland is at the annual Scotland’s Flood Resilience Conference today, delivering workshops alongside SCDC. We’re focusing on transforming engagement through community-led change in coastal communities. Join us as we explore innovative community-engagement strategies.