Karol Swanson

Experience

I have an advantage over PR companies offering consultation work because I have an excellent track record of working with community groups plus a real understanding of the planning system and the role of planners.

As an independent, impartial facilitator, I can be trusted to deliver quality events that will help you to communicate more effectively with the community.

My key work achievements have been:

Consultant for Sir Frank Mears Associates, the longest established planning consultancy in the UK.

Consultant for Suzanne McIntosh Planning.

Handle planning enquiries for the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland.

Visting Lecturer, Heriot-Watt University, School of the Built Environment.

2009 Research "The contribution of mediation in the Scottish planning system - constraints and opportunities".

With Planning Aid for Scotland volunteers, delivered over 200 training and outreach events in planning to community groups across Scotland. Worked with over 3000 Community Councils and ‘grass-roots’ organisations.

The projects I managed also won 4 prestigious awards: 2 Commendations in Scottish Awards in Quality in Planning, 1 Overall Winner, Community Involvement, Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning and The Dynamic Place Award for Training

Advised Scottish Parliament Communities Committee on setting up first public debate on ‘Modernising the Planning System’ in October 2005. Facilitated workshops at the event.

Acted as spokesperson and facilitator for the Scottish Executive’s National Consultative Group meetings in 2004-05 in Dundee and Inverness. Delivered presentations on the importance of public participation in planning.

Organised and facilitated consultation events with ‘hard-to-reach-groups’ on behalf of the Scottish Government on PAN81.

Organised and facilitated consultation events with ‘hard-to-reach-groups’ on behalf of the Scottish Government on Modernising the Planning System.

“You have done more than anyone else to put into practise the real meaning of capacity building for community engagement in planning”.

Founder member of Planning Aid for Scotland.

telephone:
07817 988 832

email: karol@karolswanson.co.uk