We are looking for new trustees to join our board and the wider Planning Democracy team. If you are interested in democracy, justice, the environment or planning, please take a look at what we do and what skills our board currently needs – and get in touch with us.

Who are we?

Planning Democracy is a SCIO and a community-led organisation. We campaign to strengthen the voice and influence of the public in the planning and development of Scotland’s land. We aim to deepen democratic control and promote environmental justice. We help communities understand how to influence proposals and development plans, but also how to engage with local authorities, elected representatives and their local community. We advocate at a national level to improve the planning system for the benefit of people and the planet.

Planning Democracy is made up of the organisation’s board (currently there are 6 members), several friendly advisors (including lawyers and planners) and many supporters (both individuals and organisations). We work together to ensure that planning in Scotland is fair and accountable. We meet every 6 weeks in the evening, mostly online, but also face-to-face where possible, usually in Edinburgh.

We are looking for people who are willing to donate their time and energy to us to help us develop the organisation and our network and deliver our mission.

What are we doing?

In recent years we spent a lot of time and effort in ensuring improvements to the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 and National Planning Framework 4. We engaged communities and individuals, held events and listened to views from around the country. We then supported people to contribute to consultation processes. We carried out direct advocacy ourselves with MSPs, government and agencies. We also have worked closely with partner organisations, including Living Rent, Action for the Protection of Rural Scotland, the Scottish Community Alliance, Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland and Scottish Environment LINK.

It is now crucial to ensure that the proposed changes in direction set out by Parliament are delivered. We have concerns that policy areas such as housing, biodiversity and climate change will not be delivered in the transformational way required and have already carried out initial research which shows these concerns are justified. We want to expand our capacity to rise to the challenge and fill the delivery gap we have identified.

What skills do we need?

We are particularly interested in recruiting trustees who have skills in these areas:

- governance

- communications (social media, online resources, website management)

However, we are keen to hear from anyone who feels that Planning Democracy is an organisation they are interested in getting involved with.

What we can offer you

Training opportunities: We think training and support for our trustees and volunteers is REALLY important. Some of the training we have done in the past includes charity governance, fundraising, social media, book keeping and public speaking.

Learning opportunities: You will develop an understanding of some fundamental topics such as the land use planning system in Scotland works, legal issues around Aarhus and European law.

Experience in campaigning and advocacy: Our campaign work involves holding meetings, promoting our manifesto, direct political lobbying, and responding to consultations. Our advocacy work includes media campaigns, public speaking, commissioning and publishing research.

Opportunity to travel in Scotland and meet new people (we have met hundreds!). For example each year we hold a great event which allows people to network and meet like-minded people.

Being part of a committed group of people: we are passionate about democracy and the environment. (And we also have some fun social events each year!)

If you are interested, contact our Chair, Helen Todd on chair@planningdemocracy.org.uk. We can then send you an application form and/or have a chat.

You can see our website at planningdemocracy.org.uk