Presentation To Director of Planning and Development

Tributes have been paid to The Highland Council's Director of Planning and Development, John Rennilson, who retires on Friday 21 December after 12 years at the helm of the frontline service.

At the start of the final Highland Council meeting of the year held earlier today (Thursday 13 December) Mr Rennilson was presented with gifts by the Convener and praised for his service.

Convener Sandy Park thanked John for his commitment, hard work and dedication.  He said: “As Chairman of the Planning and Development Committee in the last administration, I had the great privilege and pleasure to have a very productive and proactive working relationship with John.  He has done tremendous work for the Highlands and I wish him a long and happy retirement.”

Councillor Drew Hendry, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee also paid tribute to Mr Rennilson’s service to planning.  He said: “John has been an excellent leader of the Planning and Development Service, playing a key role in the economic growth and development of the Highlands. His advice, support and guidance in my early months as Chairman has been invaluable.  On behalf of all my fellow Councillors, past and present, I wish him the very best of health and contentment in his well earned retirement”
 
Thanking the members for their kind words and gifts, John Rennilson said:  “I feel that Highland is a much more buoyant and go-ahead place today than it was a just over a decade ago when I moved from North Yorkshire.  People have more confidence in the future and more choice as to where they live and work.  There is a strong sense that we have turned a corner and without a doubt, The Highland Council has played a significant role in this new found confidence. 

“I feel privileged that the Planning and Development Service has had a role, alongside public agencies and private developers. There is still work to be done with challenging issues to face such as creating affordable housing and balancing development with the needs of our environment. I wish Councillors, my fellow officers and everyone who I have worked with over the years every success in meeting these challenges and look forward to watching the Highlands go from strength to strength.”

Born and educated in Edinburgh, Mr Rennilson (60) graduated in 1968 from the University of Edinburgh MA (Hons) in geography and in 1970 from the University of Wales with MSc in town planning.

From 1970 to 1974, he held a number of positions in the Planning Department of Lanarkshire County Council. He then moved to Suffolk County Council where he spent 10 years, rising to the post of Assistant County Planning Officer (Environment).  From 1984-95, he held the position of County Planning Officer with North Yorkshire County Council in Northallerton.  During this time, he qualified as a chartered surveyor, thus adding to his planning and management qualifications.

Mr Rennilson joined The Highland Council as Director of Planning in January 1996. From April 1998 his role was expanded to cover economic development, countryside issues and archaeology and from April 2002, tourism.