Alistair G Stark DipTP MRTPI is a self-employed planning mediator. He previously worked as a planning consultant and in local authorities in the North-east of Scotland. He serves on the General Assembly of the Royal Town Planning Institute and is a Past Convenor (2007) of the RTPI Scottish Executive Committee. Alistair is a member of the Scottish Mediation Network.

Skills

Proven management skills, including organising and delivering complex work programmes to meet tight time-scales. Able to use own initiative, or to work as part of a team. Excellent analytical problem solving skills. Good communication skills, including writing, public speaking and debate. Computer literate.

Experience

Alistair is one of the most experienced planners in Scotland, with a broadly-based background in strategic planning and rural community development. He has in-depth expertise in housing land supply, local plans, strategic development control and public inquiries, and is used to working in a multi-disciplinary environment on corporate or national issues.

He has frequently advised local authority committees, working groups and councillors on planning policy, housing land issues and development control.

Commissions

Commissions include

• advising individuals, businesses and community groups on planning appeals, public inquiries, and development plan issues
• expert evidence to public local inquiries
• chairing professional planning conferences
• occasional lectures and case studies for students at Aberdeen and Edinburgh universities
• representing RTPI in Scotland on panel supervising a Scottish Executive research project
• member of Scottish Executive Steering Group Planning Advice Note 81: Community Engagement - Planning with People

Career

• Planner, Dumbarton County Council, 1964 – 70
• Senior Planner, Aberdeen County Council, 1971 – 75
• Principal Planner, Grampian Regional Council, 1975 – 95
• Head, development control, Grampian Regional Council, 1995 – 96
• Structure Plan Team Leader, Aberdeenshire Council, 1996 – 2000
• Planning Policy Consultant - sole practitioner, 2001 – 2003
• Planning Mediator, November 2003 onwards

Professional

• Diploma in Town Planning, Glasgow School of Art (1969)
• Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (1971)
• General Assembly member, Royal Town Planning Institute
• Planning Policy and Practice Committee
• Planners in the Workplace Steering Group
• University of Aberdeen Partnership Board
• Convenor, Scottish Executive Committee, Royal Town Planning Institute (2007)
• Member of the Scottish Mediation Network
• Planning and Environmental Mediation Initiative Group