In Conversation With Our New Planning Consultant Garry Dimeck BTP MRTPI

We’re pleased to welcome Garry Dimeck to the team as a Planning Consultant, working within Bell Ingram Design – our in-house architectural practice. While based in the Design team, Garry works closely with colleagues across the wider Bell Ingram business to deliver expert planning advice to clients operating in a diverse range of sectors, from rural estates and private landowners to commercial developers and community organisations.

Garry brings extensive experience from both public and private sectors, helping clients unlock development opportunities with strategic, solutions-led planning advice.

As part of Bell Ingram’s Planning and Development service, Garry supports clients in securing planning permission for both rural and urban development. Working closely with architects, forestry, and utilities colleagues, the planning team becomes involved at the earliest stages of a project to ensure proposals are viable and feasible from the outset. This integrated, cross-disciplinary approach is central to Bell Ingram’s high success rate in navigating increasingly complex planning systems across Scotland.

Can you tell us a bit about your role and what it involves?

Garry: I provide professional town planning advice to a wide range of clients across Scotland and the UK – including individuals, landowners, businesses, and community groups. My role involves supporting clients through all stages of the planning process, from early-stage appraisals through to submission and negotiation, ensuring the best route to consent.

What attracted you to this opportunity?

I was drawn to Bell Ingram Design’s integrated, collaborative way of working and its strong track record across rural and built environments. Being part of a multi-disciplinary team that understands the broader development context – from architecture to land management – enables us to offer clients a more streamlined, strategic service. I also value the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across the business, drawing on a wide range of expertise to deliver the best outcomes for clients.

What professional experience do you bring to the team?

I’ve worked in senior roles in both public and private sector planning, and for the last nine years have run my own Planning Consultancy. This has given me a strong understanding of how planning authorities operate and what’s needed to achieve a positive outcome. My focus is always on helping clients ‘de-risk’ their proposals – whether that’s through detailed appraisals, tailored strategy, or effective engagement with local authorities and consultees.

What do you see as the most rewarding part of your work?

Planning can be a powerful tool for shaping places and delivering meaningful change. I find it rewarding to guide clients through the complexity and help realise developments that are both commercially and socially valuable.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

Home life is a small-holding so free time can be limited, but when opportunity allows you will find me exploring the golf courses and fishing lochs of Scotland – there are so many!