The Scottish Government

AWARDS CEREMONY 28 February 2002

Examples of good planning practice throughout Scotland were recognised at the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2001 at The Hub in Edinburgh.

In this, the fifth year of these awards, 39 nominations were received covering the 3 categories of development control, development planning and development on the ground.

In all six awards and 12 commendations were presented by Iain Gray, Social Justice Minister.

Presenting the Awards, Iain Gray said:

"I am delighted to be presenting these awards which recognise the high quality work going on in the planning process throughout Scotland.

"I am impressed by the range of nominations and their geographical spread. A number of the nominations are collaborations involving the public, private and voluntary sectors and they highlight what innovative partnership working can achieve.

"The Executive is determined to modernise the planning system in Scotland. As Minister with responsibility for planning, I want to see a planning system that is fit for the 21 st century.

"New technology has a key role to play in the modernisation agenda and I would endorse the judges comments that the planning profession should work with other stakeholders and users to make the most effective use of new technology.

"However, the role of new technology must be considered in the context of a clear understanding of how the planning service can be made more efficient and effective. Raising the standard of development in rural and urban Scotland is one of the Executive's key priorities.

"These Planning Awards have certainly played their part in improving the planning service and its outcomes on the ground. I am therefore pleased to confirm that we will be running a 2002 Awards scheme."

The six Award winners for 2001 were:

DEVELOPMENT CONTROL

Aberdeenshire Council for its customer care initiative

- listening to its service users, the council has taken steps to harmonise service standards, with emphasis on better face-to-face contact and better information for both users and case officers, making good use of new technology.

Shetland Islands Council for its new regime for the aquaculture industry

- Shetland has created a new planning-led marine development control regime. Using new technology to aid policy and implementation, it successfully combines land and sea based map data.

DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

The Highland Council, Scottish Homes and the Highland Small Community Housing Trust for the Highland Rural Partnership for Change Pilot Project

This pilot project tackling the longstanding issue of affordable housing combines excellent partnership working with a highly productive use of information technology. It is an excellent model for rural areas and contains practical lessons for tackling affordable housing right across Scotland.

Stirling Council for its use of new technology in mainstream policy planning

This is an outstanding demonstration of how new technology and the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be used to present results in a way that people can easily understand. Work on housing land audits and housing needs assessment gives a lead which many authorities will want to follow.

DEVELOPMENT ON THE GROUND

Fife Council and Fife Historic Buildings Trust for the West Wemyss Townscape Heritage Initiative

-West Wemyss was a village in decline for over a century. Community involvement has been at the heart of this initiative. Life is now returning to the village, attractive buildings have been restored, well-adapted houses are occupied and the village shop and pub have reopened. An attractive environment has been created in which new building and further private restoration can continue.

Arbroath Abbey Partnership for the Abbey Visitor Centre development

-Creating the new visitor centre has been combined with related improvements to make Arbroath as a visitor destination. This outstanding contribution to the appreciation of Scotland's heritage has involved the local community, and the planning service has played a leading part.

The 12 Commendations were:

Development control -

Stirling Local Democracy & Quality Decision Making (Stirling Council);West of Scotland Archaeology Sites & Monuments Records (West of Scotland Archaeology Service);Aberdeen: Broadford Works Design Brief (Aberdeen City Council).

Development Planning -

Midlothian Shawfair Local Plan & Shawfair Development Manual (Midlothian Council);

Falkirk's GIS & Development Plans (Falkirk Council);

Moray Draft Indicative Forestry Strategy (Moray Council, Forestry Commission, Forest Enterprise and Scottish Natural Heritage);

Moray GIS Inward Investment Project (Moray Council);

Glasgow City Draft Local Plan (Glasgow City Council).

Development on the Ground -

Glasgow Graham Square Redevelopment (Glasgow City Council);

Wishaw Greenhead Moss Community Nature Park (Greenhead Moss Community Trust);

Moray Local Access Initiative (Moray Council and 4 Community Access Groups);

Dunoon Bishops Glen Project (Argyll & Bute Council).

Each Award and Commendation was introduced by Jim Mackinnon, Chief Planner

Background to the Awards

Local authorities operate the planning system in Scotland, preparing development plans and dealing with applications for development. TheScottish Awards for Quality in Planning were first launched in 1997 to recognise and encourage quality in planning. They have attracted more than 170 nominations over the five years to date. 39 nominations were received for the 2001 Awards.The work of planning authorities in Scotland is being recognised further afield. Stirling, South Lanarkshire, Highland and Shetland Councils and the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan Committee all collected prizes at the RTPI National Awards for 2001 in London in January 2002.Nominations for the 2001 Scottish Awards were assessed by three independent judges Barbara Illsley of Dundee University, Gordon Mann of the Crichton Development Company and Andrew Raven, a former member of the Scottish Consumer Council. As in previous years, these Awards were presented in association with the Royal Town Planning Institute.