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Application form
Please make sure you have read all the notes carefully before you start to fill in the application form. This application form can either be completed by hand or electronically - it is available on the Planning homepage at www.scotland.gov.uk/planning. Please complete all five sections. The deadline for submitting applications is 29 August 2007. An acknowledgement letter will be sent to the person who has completed this form.
1 Please provide a name and contact details of the lead organisation responsible for this work.
Name | Malcolm MacLeod |
Job title | Development Plans Manager |
Organisation | The Highland Council |
Address | Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX |
Telephone | 01463 702506 |
Fax | |
Email | malcolm.macleod@highland.gov.uk |
2 If this is a joint application, please list the other partners who had a key role. You should also inform your partners that you are nominating the project for an award.
1 Halcrow Group Limited | 2 |
3 | 4 |
5 | 6 |
3 Tick one nomination category
Title of entry | The A96 Growth Corridor Development Framework |
Please complete the form on the following pages by providing a brief summary of the piece of work you have entered. You must also conclude with a key reason as to why you think this work merits an Award. Only the two A4 pages supplied here can be used and your text must fit within the boxes. The font size should be no less than 12pt.
The judging criteria are set out below. Please tick only the key criteria relevant to your entry:
You must describe, in your written submission, how the criteria which you have ticked relate to your project.
Description of project
The A96 Growth Corridor Development Framework has been prepared to guide the strategic expansion of what is a nationally recognised key area. The Framework has been prepared to enable the expansion of the corridor over the next 30-40 years for a further 30,000 people. It has identified the key areas of growth, the key infrastructure requirements in order to enable that growth and it has established a protocol for ensuring that all the development contributes to the delivery of the overall solution. The development of a Green Framework which ensures that over 90% of the corridor remains undeveloped is an integral part of the strategy. The process has also involved a wide ranging and innovative approach to partnership working. |
Describe the background to the project
The National Planning Framework establishes the importance of the Inner Moray Firth as an attractive location for development. This is developed through the Highland Structure Plan that establishes that the A96 Corridor could be suitable for long term growth needs linking housing to business. This is further developed through the Inverness Local Plan that recognises the Corridor's potential for phased growth that would allow an Inverness city-region to develop that would be attractive, vibrant, environmentally sensitive and offer a good quality of life. Practically, Inverness City Vision calls for collaborative and far-sighted planning to provide the framework to achieve this policy ambition. This has led to the establishment of the project. |
What are the aims and objectives of the project?
The overall project aims are to: - Collaboratively, confirm a masterplan for the long term sustainable development of the A96 Corridor.
- Establish a complete living environment that is of the highest standard and best quality.
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Over what timescale has the project been developed?
The project has been divided into two stages. Stage 1, commissioned in 2003 examined the Corridor's capacity to accommodate significant growth. Stage 2, commissioned in 2006, has developed the Framework for proposals. This represents 4 years of direct project development. The A96 Growth Corridor Development Framework has been devised to guide development and infrastructure provision for the period 2011 to 2041. In order to allow a manageable implementation strategy to emerge, this time frame has been broken into 5 year development periods. This has benefits for organising the funding required. |
Explain the process and action taken
The overall approach provides for contemporary placemaking that builds on best traditions. Through a collaborative approach, development options for East Inverness and Nairn have emerged. Private interests at Dalcross and Whiteness have been fully integrated through the Green Framework, which has also ensured a strategic open space and environmental enhancement scheme is in place. A Development Funding Protocol has been established to ensure clarity and certainty in making development and infrastructure implementation decisions. This has been supported through a Strategic Environmental Assessment. |
Explain the role of the key partners
The Highland Council have acted as project sponsors and commissioned the Framework from an established policy positions. Halcrow Group Ltd has provided innovative, creative and contemporary planning, stakeholder engagement and delivery expertise, support and advice. Through a unique stakeholder engagement process (Collaboration for Success©) that moves beyond the limitations of partnership working, key partners have been intimately involved. This has included land owners, government interests, elected politicians and community groups. |
What results were achieved?
The A96 Growth Corridor Development Framework will become adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance by The Highland Council in the coming month. It will then form a key strand of the development strategy to be brought forward through the new highland Development Plan. A collaborative approach has been reached to the delivery of major infrastructure, the phasing of development proposals and the strategic placemaking approach within the Corridor. This represents the best practice in town planning that responds to the requirement of the new planning system in Scotland. It allows communities, partners and the development industry some degree of certainty as to the likely rate and location of development throughout the corridor. |
In summary, why does this piece of work merit an Award?
Taking an innovative and creative approach to the long term sustainable delivery of major growth and large scale development potential, the A96 Growth Corridor Development Framework provides for the application of contemporary planning and placemaking approaches and for effective collaborative working across the full range of stakeholders. Further, the supporting funding protocols provide a clear, costed implementation context. The A96 Growth Corridor Development Framework provides a robust example of best practice, comparable with similar major framework projects across Europe and will deliver new distinctive, green Highland places. |
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