Burness Paull appoints director in planning division

Burness Paull has further boosted its team in Aberdeen with the appointment of a director in the planning division.

Dr Margaret Bochel will join on 14 September 2015 from Aberdeen City Council, in an appointment widely regarded as the first of its kind in Scotland.

She is currently head of planning and sustainable development within the council and a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and Heads of Planning Scotland (chair 2010-2011).

Ms Bochel said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Burness Paull at this very exciting time for the firm.

“Their highly regarded Aberdeen planning division has an excellent reputation and I am very much looking forward to helping contribute to the continued success of the team, the firm and its clients.”

Elaine Farquharson-Black, partner at Burness Paull said: “Maggie is recognised by her peers as a leading expert in planning and her experience will help guide Burness Paull clients through the complexities of planning in Scotland.

“We regularly submit planning applications for clients that require planning reports and liaison with local communities and councillors. Maggie will bring that experience at the highest level.

“We are currently providing planning advice for a number of high profile developments, from the new £3bn gas plant in Shetland to other large scale communities at Chapelton, Grandhome and Countesswells.

“Maggie’s appointment will allow us to further advise these clients, to take on additional clients of this size and to develop the business further.”