The Scottish Government

Name

Karl Doroszenko

Job title

Organisation

East Ayrshire Council

Address

6 Croft Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 1JB

Telephone

01563 576751

Fax

01563 576774

Email

karl.doroszenko@east-ayrshire.gov.uk

1 Barony A Frame Trust

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Development Plans Development Management Development on the Ground Community Involvement

Title of entry

Barony A Frame Restoration

Professional knowledge Innovation Management Sustainable development

Partnership Community interest Regeneration Customer satisfaction

The project involves the successful partnership working of East Ayrshire Council planning service with the Barony 'A' Frame Trust to successfully develop and implement a multi-funded complex project to restore the category B listed Barony 'A' Frame pit winding structure. Identified in the East Ayrshire Community Plan as a key project within the Community Environmental Improvement Action Plans & Projects ( CEIAP) initiative, this project was developed through the planning service. Following the threat of demolition and the depth of community interest to preserve the structure, planning staff worked with the community to assist with the formation of the Barony Trust, to retain and restore the frame as part of the regeneration of the area. As an icon of the area's mining heritage and a memorial to those who worked and died at the site, a funding package of £1.3million was secured. Throughout the project, the involvement of planning staff was critical to the successful development and implementation of the project, providing support, assistance and advice to the Trust.

As part of the CEIAP initiative (lead by the Planning Service), the concept of the Barony project was developed by planning staff and included within the Community Plan as a key project, contributing to themes and priorities within the Regeneration Outcome Agreement, most notably the 'Improving the Environment' theme. The frame is important nationally as a 'B' listed structure and as such is important to the Council, Historic Scotland, the mining industry and Scottish Coal. However it was the high level of community interest in preserving this mining icon which lead to the formation of the Trust and successful implementation of the project. Following a community consultation exercise and with the assistance of planning staff, the Barony 'A' Frame Trust was formed consisting of representatives from East Ayrshire Council, Scottish Coal, MSP, MP, National Union of Mineworkers, two local Community Councils and individual interested parties. The depth of professional knowledge within the planning service greatly contributed to the successful development and implementation of the project.

The emphasis of the project is partnership and community. The main aim has been to work together to achieve a nationally important regeneration project focused on the restoration of the 'A' Frame. The project aims to strengthen the partnership between professional planning staff and the community whilst enhancing the knowledge and understanding of the planning profession and its involvement in revitalising an area blighted by social and economic deprivation.

The Barony Colliery was closed in 1989 and following the physical deterioration of the 'A' Frame, the Planning Service was approached by the community in 2001 to develop a project to save the structure. A structural condition survey was commissioned by Scottish Coal. Linked to the CEIAP process, a community consultation exercise was carried out in 2003 and the Trust was then formed with the assistance of the planning service. Planning staff worked closely with the Trust, developing the project, compiling a funding portfolio and obtaining the necessary consents for implementation. The project was identified by EAC and Community Planning Partnership as a key priority project within the 'Improving the Environment' Action Plan. Statutory consents were obtained and the Trust entered into a lease for the site with Scottish Coal. The funding package was secured and the restoration work completed in July 2007.

(i) Planning Service approached by the community to develop a project following the deterioration and threat of demolition of the listed Barony 'A' Frame.

(ii) Regeneration project developed through the Planning Service CEIAP initiative and coordinated by planning staff.

(iii) Barony 'A' Frame Trust formed and project profile raised. Partnership between professional planning staff and the Trust was further strengthened at this stage.

(iv) Submission of applications for statutory consents and funding coordinated by the planning service - consents obtained and complex funding package secured.

(v) Further funding secured for to appoint a Monitoring & Admin Officer to ensure continual monitoring and evaluation of the project and to ensure adherence to complex funding conditions.

(vi)Tender process completed and project implemented.

EAC Development Planning & Regeneration Section (planning staff) - professional advice, guidance and assistance provided to assist a community based organisation to develop, secure funding for and implement a complex regeneration project.

Barony 'A' Frame Trust - key role in development of the regeneration project including securing a £1.3 million funding package and developing strong links with the representative agencies within its membership.

EA Community Planning & Partnership Unit - provision of funding, monitoring and evaluation. Identification of project as a key priority within the 'Improving the Environment' theme.

Heritage Lottery Fund - provision of funding, monitoring and evaluation

Historic Scotland - provision of funding

• Successful partnership working
• Successful implementation and completion of a regeneration project to restore a category 'B' listed structure
• Strengthened links between planning staff, the Trust and the community
• Securing a funding package of £1.3million to preserve an important mining heritage icon
• Greater understanding by community groups of the planning and regeneration process

The restoration of the Barony 'A' Frame has strengthened links between the planning service and the community whilst securing a substantial package of funding and contributing to the regeneration of the area. The restoration of this iconic mining structure would not have been achieved without the involvement of EAC planning staff.

Recognised through the Planning & Economic Development Division as a key project to regenerate an area which has declined since the loss of the mining industry, this project demonstrates the strong partnership links between the community and professional planning staff. This partnership has resulted in the successful implementation of a regeneration project of national importance.

27/08/07