This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Excellence in Planning Awards
08/03/2007
Exceptional developments are recognised today in an awards ceremony highlighting some of the best examples of planning and design across Scotland.
The Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2006 highlights projects for their quality designs to successful engaging of communities.
Communities Minister Rhona Brankin said:
"Planning has a key role to play in building successful communities and we're working to modernise the system to make it more efficient, inclusive and sustainable.
"The new Planning Act is a major step towards this, marking the most significant reform to Scotland's planning system in sixty years.
"But what is absolutely central to sustainable development is quality and design.
"We want to see a system that puts these factors right at the heart of development and the brilliant examples we see today show just that.
"These projects are ample evidence that quality is being incorporated into developments all across the country. They are a real tribute to the drive, talent and imagination of our planners, designers and architects in the private sector and local authorities."
This year's overall winner is an energy efficient development in Campbeltown. Aquilibrium incorporates facilities ranging from a swimming pool to playing fields, to a crèche and a restaurant in a building powered by a biomass system.
The judge's report said:
"Aqualibrium is a fantastic community facility which we hope will act as a catalyst for further regeneration in Campbeltown.
"This entry displayed good partnership working and we were impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm of the team. The community were successfully involved in the process from the start which has given feeling of ownership of the project.
"The design of the building succeeds in creating a key landmark in the town. The community regeneration approach is highly commended and the effort to make something special is acknowledged. We consider the building to be sustainable and were impressed with the wood chip biomass system which is not only energy efficient but greatly assists the local economy."
The other three main awards were:
- Partnership Approach to Delivering Strategic Environmental Assessment, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Council
- Shrubhill development site in Leith, Edinburgh for its public consultation exercise
- Planning for People, Planning Aid for Scotland
A further seven projects received commendations.
- Highland Renewable Energy Strategy and Guidelines
- East Ayrshire Long Term Development Strategy: Landscape Assessment of Potential Development Sites
- A Borders Wetland Vision: Development of a Strategic Planning Tool for Wetland Biodiversity Conservation
- Edinburgh Quay
- Black Devon Wetland and Landfill Project
- The Hilltown Park, Hilltown, Dundee
- WinchburghFUTURE Master Plan - Community Involvement and Engagement
This year's judges for the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning were Joan Burnie, Ian McLarty and Fiona Moriarty.
Joan Burnie is the Associate Editor at the Daily Record. This is Joan's fifth year judging for the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning.
Ian McLarty is the Head of Planning and Building Standards at South Ayrshire Council and is a past Convenor of the Royal Town Planning Institute in Scotland. This is Ian's second year as a judge for these awards.
Fiona Moriarty is the Director of the Scottish Retail Consortium and this is her third year as a judge.
Since the Awards were launched in 1997, they have attracted over 330 applications. The Award winning entries are posted on to the Scottish Executive Planning website and there are now some excellent examples from which planners and others can learn.