We are delighted to welcome Cherie to the team. Last week, Cherie joined us for her first full week in the office and was welcomed by staff who took her through an overview of everything Planning Aid Scotland. Despite the recent start, Cherie may already be a familiar face for some, having attended many of our free online planning training webinars (more sessions recently added!) and volunteer training events. As our Director of Operations, David McAllister, explains:

“We have been busy getting everything set up for Cherie – making sure she can ‘hit the ground running’ so to speak. It’s already shaping up to be a busy year for us at Planning Aid Scotland, and we’re excited to have her on board. Cherie’s passion for inclusive and meaningful engagement will really resonate with the team. It’s such an important part of making sure Scotland’s planning system is open, accessible and works for us all.”

In her previous role as Director of Projects at Play Scotland, Cherie led national programmes advancing children’s rights, community participation, and placemaking all whilst making sure that seldom-heard voices were sought and included in planning and policy. She is keen to put inclusion at the forefront:

“The importance of inclusion in placemaking cannot be overstated. It is central to creating places that are not only welcoming to everyone in the community, but that also work for them. By ensuring our places are designed to meet the needs of all, we make sure that these spaces are fully used, enjoyed and owned by our communities.”

Inclusiveness is crucial to effective engagement, as outlined in the SP=EED® criteria. Planning Aid Scotland would like to see seldom-heard groups supported to become partners in engagement processes – ensuring a true reflection of community voices and hopefully resulting in more equitable and collaborative planning. Cherie shares this passion for meaningful engagement:

“I am a big advocate for meaningful engagement – ensuring all voices are heard and listened to – giving local people a sense of ownership and pride in their place. That is so important.

There was a project on a housing estate in my hometown, Peterhead, that really resonated with me. People were asked about the place they lived, and many felt that it had been forgotten. As part of the regeneration project, carved granite letters were installed in an area within the housing estate spelling out “we are here”. This statement helped to give them a sense of identity and pride, and the art had a practical function of slowing traffic to allow local people to reclaim the space. It was a playful, creative project that really pushed local voices to the forefront.”

This appreciation for good quality, well designed places is rooted in Cherie’s understanding of how places can nurture better health and wellbeing. Cherie is driven by the belief that we must create the conditions for people and communities to thrive, and that planning and placemaking is at the heart of this.

“The more I learn about Planning Aid Scotland’s work, the more I see the links to other sectors and the benefits this expertise could bring to so many, even outside the field of planning. I’m excited to get out there, have these conversations and support communities to play a leading role in shaping the future of their places. I’m also looking forward to meeting many of our volunteers, members and partners. Planning Aid Scotland has a wide-ranging network of expertise, and I’m very happy to now be part of that.”