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Development plans
Eight nominations were received for outstanding performance and quality in development plans. We recommend 2 Awards and 3 Commendations in this category.
No. | Project | Nominee(s) | Recommendation |
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1 | Design Standards for New Housing Areas | East Lothian Council | Commendation |
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2 | Supplementary Planning Guidance: Planning and Noise | West Lothian Council | |
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3 | InterMETREXPlus: Greenhouse Gas Inventory Project | Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Structure Plan Joint Committee; The Tyndall Centre and METREX | Award |
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4 | Fife's Local Landscape Designation Review | Fife Council and Scottish Natural Heritage | Commendation |
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5 | Kilmarnock Conservation Area Management Plan | East Ayrshire Council; Austin Smith: Lord LLP and Historic Scotland | |
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6 | South Lanarkshire Local Plan - Local Plan Inquiry | South Lanarkshire Council | Award |
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7 | Community Growth Area Masterplan Development Frameworks | South Lanarkshire Council | Commendation |
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8 | Inverclyde Core Paths Plan | Inverclyde Council | |
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1. Design Standards for New Housing Areas
Nominee
East Lothian Council
Description
The aim of the project was to produce improved design standards for new housing areas. A key focus being to review road design and to promote Home Zone development. The document, Design Standards for New Housing Areas revise and draw together in a single publication the Council's key planning and transportation requirements for the design of new housing areas. It provides a single reference detailing the urban design principles the Council will apply to its new housing areas.
Judges' comments
We acknowledge the recognition the Council has paid to the advice provided by The Scottish Government to integrated thinking on design and the need to move away from standardised solutions and products and the dominance of the car in the way our environment is shaped. The local authority is to be congratulated in drawing together in a single document the key planning and transportation requirements for the design of new housing areas. We consider that the Home Zone approach ensures that the quality of life in the residential area takes precedence over ease of vehicle movement, helps promote social inclusion, encourages sustainable urban living and improves the quality of the urban environment.
We recommend a Commendation.
COMMENDATION
2. Supplementary Planning Guidance: Planning and Noise
Nominee
West Lothian Council
Description
To achieve higher levels of sustainable development through supporting density in urban areas and at transport nodes, noise considerations will play an increasingly important role in development planning and management. The Supplementary Planning Guidance ( SPG) is aimed at providing developers with information on the planning process where new noise sensitive developments are planned. The SPG supports the Council's local plan strategy for sustainable development.
Judges' comments
We are encouraged by the Council's commitment to such an important topic and that a robust policy has been developed which achieves the project aims. We look forward to hearing that the policy has had further success in steering development and whether other planning authorities adopt the initiative.
3. InterMETREXPlus: Greenhouse Gas Inventory Project
Nominees
Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Structure Plan Joint Committee ( GCVSPJC); The Tyndall Centre and METREX
Description
The InterMETREXPlus Project investigated the role of strategic spatial planning in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This model is one of the first to address auditing and inventory work on greenhouse gas emissions ( GHGs) across a metropolitan-wide area or region. It can also be used to generate 'energy futures scenarios' for modelling the impact of a range of mitigation policies. Glasgow and the Clyde Valley area took this latter approach, developing scenarios aimed at reducing GHGs for the region by 80% by 2050.
Judges' comments
The project identifies the key role the spatial planning system has in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We recognise the importance of this innovative piece of work in providing a solid foundation for starting to develop and share spatial planning responses with partner organisations in Scotland and in a wider European context to address climate change in advance of any statutory requirements emanating from the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill. The Judges wish GCVSPJC and Partners every success in the future development of the project. We recommend an Award.
AWARD
4. Fife's Local Landscape Designation Review
Nominees
Fife Council and Scottish Natural Heritage
Description
The review sought to refresh the use of local landscape designations. The project provides a transparent methodology for the evaluation of the different landscapes based on existing Landscape Character Assessment work. It developed a process for delineating proposed designated landscapes and describing their key attributes and regional value. The main purpose of the project was to provide a review of current Areas of Great Landscape Value.
Judges' comments
The collaborative approach to working between Fife Council, SNH and the project consultants has developed a comprehensive reassessment of the local landscape designations in Fife. There was strong evidence supporting the review outcomes leading to better protection and enhancements of landscapes in Fife.
We recommend a Commendation.
COMMENDATION
5. Kilmarnock Conservation Area Management Plan
Nominees
East Ayrshire Council; Austin Smith: Lord LLP and Historic Scotland
Description
The project involved the preparation of a detailed Conservation Area Management Plan ( CAMP) for Kilmarnock's John Finnie Street and Bank Street Outstanding Conservation Area. It was prepared to support the investment that will be directed into the area through a Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme ( CARS) and Townscape Heritage Initiative ( THI). The CAMP details the special character and significance of the town's historic core, assesses how it might be vulnerable to change and sets out planning and implementation guidelines to steer future development and regeneration. The plan has been adopted by the Council as supplementary planning guidance.
Judges' comments
We acknowledge the worthiness of the project through the support and direction of investment in the development and regeneration of Kilmarnock's historic core. The detailed yet user-friendly CAMP is to be praised as a comprehensive tool for helping guide development in the outstanding conservation area we will be interested to hear of its success. However, it was considered that the submission did not display evidence of an exceptional process within the planning system.
6. South Lanarkshire Local Plan - Local Plan Inquiry
Nominee
South Lanarkshire Council
Description
In preparing for the South Lanarkshire Local Plan PLI the Council worked with the Scottish Government's Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals embracing the Government's modernisation agenda for the planning system. The project addressed a series of particular challenges requiring managerial, logistical and professional judgement and co-ordination.
Judges' comments
It was agreed that the task demonstrated exceptional project management skills by the Local Plan Inquiry team. We were impressed by the approach to the challenge in dealing with over 10,000 representations and commend the transparency of the Inquiry process, the adoption of inquisitorial rather than adversarial inquiry sessions, the time and cost efficient process adopted together with addressing many other goals in an innovative and consistently professional manner. The Council achieved speed of process but not at the expense of thoroughness, efficiency but not at the expense of accessibility or quality while aligning the Inquiry with the 'Modernising the Planning System' agenda.
We recommend an Award.
AWARD
7. Community Growth Area Masterplan Development Frameworks
Nominee
South Lanarkshire Council
Description
The Masterplan Development Frameworks ( MDF) have been prepared for Community Growth Areas ( CGA) identified in the finalised South Lanarkshire Local Plan as a way to deliver national guidance/policy at the local level.
Judges' comments
We recognise and commend the management skills required to lead a multi-disciplinary team in developing the Masterplan Development Frameworks ( MDFs) and it is pleasing to hear that the tool has been successful in bridging the gap between the local plan and the detailed masterplan. The MDF creates the link between policy and product. This initiative is acknowledged as excellent practice which may wish to be adopted by other planning authorities. We recommend a Commendation.
COMMENDATION
8. Inverclyde Core Paths Plan
Nominee
Inverclyde Council
Description
The Plan identifies the basic framework of paths sufficient for the purpose of giving the public access throughout the area.
Judges' comments
We were interested to hear about the methods used by the Council to prepare the framework, especially the partnership approach with the Local Access Forum to ensure that the paths identified meet a wide range of community needs. The innovative approach to the format of the Plan and the commendations received for its presentation are commended. However, we did not find any information in the submission that displayed any evidence of an outstanding process within the planning system.
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