The City of Edinburgh Council has appointed Councillor Neil Gardiner as its new Planning Committee Convener.

With 25 years' experience in architecture, urban design and project management in the international construction industry, Cllr Gardiner has worked in Edinburgh, London, Berlin, São Paulo and Sydney, where he was involved in the construction of the Olympic Tennis Centre.

In his new position, he will oversee planning policy and the future development of the built environment in the city, as well as decisions on individual planning applications and related issues. He will also chair the Development Management Sub-Committee, which is responsible for decisions on individual planning applications.

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Speaking on his new position, Cllr Gardiner said: "I am delighted to have been appointed as Planning Convener. I want to develop a holistic approach and improve the planning process for all stakeholders, based on a clear plan, delivering sustainable development across the city.  I will bring a passion for quality design that works for people.

"We have an ambitious programme, which includes building 20,000 homes over the next decade. These must be in the right places with sufficient infrastructure and planning has a vital role to play in that."

(LM/MH)