ABOUT US
Dave Macdonald Dip TP MRTPI
A native Highlander, based in Orkney since 2018, Dave graduated in Town and Country Planning from the Glasgow School of Art in 1977.
He spent 12 years in local authority planning within Highland and Aberdeen City, followed by a mix of private planning consultancy and business ventures. He also served as a member of the Royal Burgh of Tain Community Council for 14 years, seven as Chairman. This extensive experience has given him a unique insight into the development challenges faced by individuals, families, and businesses, particularly within an increasingly complex and, at times, dysfunctional planning system.
On 20 March 2024, the Royal Town Planning Institute celebrated Dave’s 50th year as a member, marking a long-standing commitment to the profession.
Highland Planning was initially established to serve the Scottish mainland. Following Dave’s move to Orkney, the practice now welcomes commissions across these Isles, combining local insight with professional expertise. Please note though from January 2026 new commissions are invited for Planning Appeals and Applications for Review only.
To this end Highland Planning will work in conjunction with Trig Point, a new planning consultancy set up in colaboration with Ness Planning. Please visit trigpoint.scot for further information.
Dave takes an actve interest in his local community and is a Director of Sanday Renewables Community Interest Company and Chair of Sanday Mens Shed.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Highland Planning has been involved with developments across Scotland from single houses in the countryside to multi-million £ anaerobic digester plants, with an excellent success rate. Projects have been taken from concept to build through the planning application or appeal processes. Formal contributions have been made to Government Planning Reviews, including oral evidence to the 2016 Scottish Planning Review Panel chaired by Crawford Beveridge CBE.
FOCUSED PRACTICE FROM JANUARY 2026
- Applications for Review to local authority Planning Review Bodies
- Appeals against refusal to DPEA (Planning Committee decisions)
As part of a move towards retirement, Highland Planning has scaled back the breadth of its services in order to concentrate on what it does best, challenging unjustified refusals of planning permission. The intention is to continue a proud record of achievement in this vital area.
We will continue to advise and assist established clients on other matters.
This new approach allows for careful, managed engagement with the most contentious planning decisions, offering clients experienced, independent advice where proposals have been rejected despite the presence of policy support or material considerations in their favour.
To this end, Highland Planning will now handle Appeal/Review commissions through Trig Point, a new planning consultancy set up in colaboration with Ness Planning. Please visit trigpoint.scot for further information. Over the years, both HIghland Planning and Ness Planning have enjoyed an excellent success rate in overturning planning refusals or removing unwanted planning conditions. Together we provide a strong foundation for robustly contesting decisions and navigating the increasingly adversarial nature of the modern planning system.
