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Sixth Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning

AWARDS CEREMONY 27 FEBRUARY 2002

In 2002, the sixth year of the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning, there were 36 entries across the 3 categories of development control, development planning and development on the ground.

The Minister for Social Justice, Margaret Curran presented 2 Special Awards, 5 Awards and 11 Commendations during a ceremony at The Hub in Edinburgh. This year also saw the launch of the urban design award for students, the "Designing Places Award". The Minister presented 3 Commendations, 1 Special Commendation and 1 Award to the winning students.

Margaret Curran said: "It is good to see so many people here to acknowledge and celebrate the successes and achievements in Scottish planning. This reflects the importance we all attach to quality in the processes and outcomes of planning." "Quality must be at the forefront of all that we do in planning. We must aim for quality processes in development planning and development control and we must secure quality in new development and redevelopment. And it is important that we recognise and celebrate quality. That is the aim of the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning and it is clear that this aim is widely shared." "The judges have said in their report on the 2002 Scottish Awards for Quality in planning that the continued quantity and quality of the entries confirms the value attached to these Awards by the planning authorities, their partners and the planning and design profession. I therefore intend to run a 2003 Awards scheme. I was very pleased with the entries for the Designing Places Award and we will be continuing with this too."

The two Special Awards for Development on the Ground and Related category went to British Waterways Scotland for The Millennium Link

The development links the re-opened Union and the Forth and Clyde canals. It consists of a visitor centre, walking and cycling routes and a number of related facilities.

and West Dunbartonshire Council for Loch Lomond Shores Development

This is a successful redevelopment of a derelict dye factory and sand workings in a National Park. It provides tourist facilities centred on an IMAX cinema, as a modern interpretation of a Scottish castle.

The five Awards winners were:

In the Development planning and related category

The Nevis Working Party for Strategy for Environmental and Visitor Management in the Nevis Area

This strategy tackles a range of local issues e.g. pressures for rural housing, impact of litter and path erosion, visitor information and bus services.

Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan & Transportation Committee for Ayrshire Woodland Strategy

The Woodland Strategy addresses the importance of timber to the Ayrshire economy, the transportation of timber and forestry grants.

Aberdeenshire Council for Community Orientated Developer Contributions

The Council appointed a dedicated officer to advise, negotiate and collect contributions from developers submitting planning applications.

Glasgow City Council for Oatlands Action Plan and Marketing Brief

A detailed Action Plan, Design Guide and Marketing Brief were produced to facilitate the regeneration of Oatlands.

In the Development on the ground and related category

The City of Edinburgh Council and Mansfield Traquair Trust for Mansfield Traquair Centre

This former Church was restored and now provides offices for the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

The 11 Commendations were:

Development control and related category

Development of a Planning Service Website (East Dunbartonshire Council)

Drainage Impact Assessment Guidance for Developers & Regulators (Aberdeenshire Council and Partners)

ASPIRE (former Rutherglen East Parish Church) - South Lanarkshire Council

Planning Briefs for Housing Development (West Lothian Council)

Improvements in the Planning Enforcement Service (Stirling Council)

Development planning and related category

CLEAR (Community Local Environment Awareness Raising) - Planning Aid for Scotland

Kirkintilloch's Initiative (East Dunbartonshire Council)

Development Advice Note: The Layout and Design of New Housing Development (Stirling Council)

Development on the ground and related category

Dundee Visitor Signage (Dundee Partnership)

The "Designing Places" Award went to Colin Lavety, Martin Brown, Eric Dawson, Alun White, David Abercrombie and Evelyn Ann Stewart (Heriot-Watt University) for Urban Design Analysis and Proposals - Culross

The Special Commendation went to Ailsa Manners (University of Dundee) for Dundee's Cultural Quarter

And the 3 Commendations went to:

Ben Wilson (Heriot-Watt University) for A Comparison of Recent Residential Urban Design Practice - Netherlands & Scotland

Naomi Sandilands & Ben Wilson (Heriot-Watt University) for Waverley Valley Urban Design Project

Stephen Kilmartin (University of Dundee) for Dundee's Cultural Quarter.

Each Award and Commendation was introduced by Jim Mackinnon, Chief Planner The 3 Judges of the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning were: Gordon Mann, Managing Director, Crichton Development Company Ltd and formerly Director of Planning, Dumfries & Galloway Regional Council; Barbara Illsley, lecturer in planning at the University of Dundee and Joan Burnie, Associate Editor of the Daily Record These Awards were presented in association with the Royal Town Planning Institute.