Richard Heggie is Director of Urban Animation and personally leads all project work. He is a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and has over 20 years experience in planning and urban design within the public and private sectors.

Following completion of the BSC (Hons) course in Town Planning at Heriot Watt University, which included a year at North Tyneside Council, Richard worked with Livingston Development Corporation from 1986 to 1995. Livingston new town experienced unprecedented private and public sector investment during this period. Responsibilities included the first Livingston Local Plan, the Town Centre Urban Design Strategy and the Almond Valley Heritage Centre/Scottish Shale Oil Museum.

Prior to establishing Urban Animation in 1995, Richard completed a Diploma in Urban Design at Heriot Watt University. The practice has since undertaken work in all areas of the planning system, including planning applications, appeals and inquires, Local Plan representations, site appraisals and feasibility studies. Specialising in master planning and settlement extensions, Urban Animation now works throughout Scotland and occasionally beyond, dealing with organic and sustainable approaches to the expansion of towns and villages.