Mackay Planning offers considerable experience and expertise in advising retailers, house builders, developers, property fund managers and land owners on proposals of all sizes.
Below are examples of some clients and projects.
National Pride UK
Mackay Planning is a trusted partner with National Pride UK, a socially and environmentally responsible developer currently bringing forward large scale eco-wellness, leisure and tourism developments on former mining sites across the UK.
Midsteeple Quarter, Dumfries
Scott Mackay is formerly Executive Director of Dumfries High Street Ltd, trading as Midsteeple Quarter, a pioneering community benefit society breathing new life into Dumfries town centre by acquiring and redeveloping empty High Street properties. He led the organisation through the acquisition of 6 buildings in the High Street and development of the Midsteeple Quarter Masterplan, winning Masterplan of the Year at the 2022 Scottish Design Awards. Phase One of the masterplan is a £multi-million redevelopment of a prominent High Street property, delivering 7 flats to rent and 2.5 floors of new enterprise/community space.
Greene King Ltd
Since early 2020, Mackay Planning have advised on pre-acquisition due diligence for Greene King Ltd on their most recent acquisitions and openings in Scotland and the North of England. Examples include the Ubiquitous Chip, Stravaigin and Hanoi Bike Shop, in the West End of Glasgow.
Marston’s Plc
Since 2011 Mackay Planning have been retained by Marston’s Estates, Marston’s Inns & Taverns and their design & build contractors to advise on development proposals across the UK. This work includes the securing of detailed planning permissions for numerous new build pub/restaurants and hotels as well as change of use and planning permissions for in-town redevelopment and mixed-use development company proposals.
Tesco Plc
Since our launch in 2008, Mackay Plannning have been retained by Tesco Plc to advise on all planning matters including existing estate management, superstore and Express convenience store development and mixed-use regeneration projects across the UK. This includes detailed strategy, retail impact and sequential assessment work, strong negotiation, project management and community consultation skills.
Hallam Land Management
Since our launch in 2008, Mackay Planning have been retained by Hallam Land Management to advise on strategic housing and mixed use developments, including negotiation of Local Development Plan allocations, planning permissions and obligations at Northcraigs, Kilmarnock where c. 600 houses, a neighbourhood centre and business park are proposed.
Massimo Dutti
Mackay Planning were appointed by Massimo Dutti and VARO Consulting to advise and negotiate planning permission, Listed Building and Advertisement consents for the redevelopment of 71-77 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, for their flagship store. The proposals for this prominent landmark Listed building presented many challenges requiring agreement with Heritage officials, including changes to window openings, internal space/staircase and use of modern materials.
Airdrie Retail Park
Over many years, Mackay Planning has been retained by the various owners of Airdrie Retail Park together with EYCO to advise, vary planning restrictions and reconfigure floorspace, enabling a variety of retail operators, including food stores, to trade at this location.
Next Group PLC and Brightbay
Mackay Planning were appointed by NEXT and Brightbay Real Estate Partners to vary restrictive planning conditions limiting the existing Next store at Queens Drive Retail Park, Kilmarnock to ‘bulky goods only', meaning that Next could only retail a ‘Home’ store limited to household goods. Planning permission was successfully achieved, supported by retail impact and sequential assessments and a strong negotiation strategy, enabling Next to now trade their full range of goods from this unit.
East Kilbride Urban Expansion Area
Mackay planning is retained by a consortium of landowners and house builders in relation to the development of the East Kilbride Community Growth Area. This appointment includes advice on the planning of a significant urban expansion area for housing development. Recent work includes the successful upholding of an appeal against South Lanarkshire Council for Planning Permission in Principle for housing on the basis of excessive developer contribution requirements. The appeal was upheld with costs awarded against the Council.
Linwood Town Centre Regeneration
Mackay Planning were appointed by Tesco Stores Ltd and Renfrewshire Council to develop a mixed-use scheme for the former Linwood Shopping Centre. The proposal included the entire redevelopment of the town centre including a new 8,102sqm foodstore, library, community hall, offices, retail mall, car parking and landscaping. A key element of the project was to ensure complete communication and involvement from the local community in the design and planning process.
ZARA
Mackay Planning were appointed by Zara and VARO Consulting to advise and negotiate various Listed Building and Advertising consents at their Zara clothing store on Princes Street, Edinburgh.
COSTA Coffee
Mackay Planning advised Redefine International and secured planning permission for a new Costa Drive-Thru at Milton Link, Newcraighall, Edinburgh. This involved overcoming various policy obstacles and carefully reconfiguring the car park of the existing The Range unit.
Miller & Carter Steakhouse
Mackay Planning were appointed by Mitchells & Butlers and Pramerica to advise and negotiate a variety of consents including change of use, planning permission, Listed Building and Advertisement consents to redevelop the former National Bank Chambers on St Vincent Street, Glasgow from a post office to a restaurant. The proposals for this prominent landmark Listed building presented numerous challenges not least of which were significant changes to the internal space and the design and routing of kitchen ventilation extraction without compromising the heritage features of the building.
East Kilbride Community Trust
Mackay Planning work with East Kilbride Community Trust on various planning matters relating to their existing sites and expansion plans. Of note, planning permission was successfully negotiated for a 4000 seater community sports stadium to be a home for East Kilbride FC including football pitch, fitness and boxing suite and gyms,sports hall, offices and function suite on a new site at Langlands, East Kilbride.
What people are saying about us
“Eric Young & Co have worked with Scott Mackay for many years and he never fails to deliver for our mutual clients”
“From our experience, Mackay Planning thrives on a challenge and have always secured our mutual client’s necessary planning consents with efficiency and professionalism”
“Mackay planning have worked extensively with Marston’s in Scotland for the past 7 years and more recently have extended their reach into England and Wales. Their hand-on approach has gained valuable approvals for Marston’s time after time”
“Mackay Planning offers a professional service and Scott Mackay is highly motivated to achieve any client’s development aspirations”
“For close to 2 decades Scott Mackay assisted Tesco’s new store development programme. He has extensive experience of strategic retail planning having honed his skills on complex and competitive schemes across the UK”