What is the point of such an initiative in the current economic climate? Why would anybody take part?
What is SSCI seeking to achieve?
Does "modern" and "innovative" equate to shiny, steel and glass structures?
Why has it taken so long to get to this stage? SSCI was launched June 2008.
Is there a ranking order of the 68 SSCI submissions to inform how well a specific project ranked in relation to others?
How much influence did the planning status of the sites have on how projects were assessed?
Why are there not more examples of projects not already confirmed in development plans?
Why were exemplars of different types of development not selected to show what can be achieved on different scales?
Why were further discussions with proposers, as indicated in the SSCI framework document, not pursued?
Why focus on the long-term when the construction industry needs help to deliver houses now?
When will development of the first community begin?
Why select projects that are already on the ground and delivering already (such as the Urban Regeneration Companies)?
Why are there two projects from the same proposer in the exemplar list i.e. Speirs Locks and Maryhill Locks?
What happens next?
How can I access the support I need for my project?
If I am not an exemplar project - what help has the SSCI been to my project?
Will there be another round of the Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative?
Q: What is the point of such an initiative in the current economic climate? Why would anybody take part?
A. There is no doubt that the economic climate is causing difficulties in the housing market at the moment, but there continues to be a strong underlying demand for housing in Scotland. SSCI offers the opportunity to explore how to meet that demand into the future in the most sustainable ways.
The reaction to the Initiative has been very positive and the lack of credit availability appears to be seen by some as an opportunity to step back and rethink the way development can happen in the future.
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Q: What is SSCI seeking to achieve?
A. Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative (SSCI) is concerned with encouraging the creation of places which go beyond standard solutions. It aims to drive up the aspiration to achieve quality placemaking, improved energy performance, and more sustainable forms of development, whilst providing homes for people. The Initiative also provides an opportunity to raise the profile of a variety of developments which will serve as exemplars, demonstrating innovation and delivery.
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Q: Does "modern" and "innovative" equate to shiny, steel and glass structures?
A. Modern and innovative relates to much more than the buildings themselves. The whole approach to development, design, funding and delivery should be relevant to current and future circumstances and make a positive contribution to the creation of sustainable communities.
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Q. Why has it taken so long to get to this stage? SSCI was launched June 2008.
A. A rigorous assessment process was put in place to ensure confidence in the conclusions of the initiative. The volume of submissions received (68) made this a lengthy process. Details of the assessment process can be found in the SSCI report.
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Q. Is there a ranking order of the 68 SSCI submissions to inform how well a specific project ranked in relation to others?
A. The assessment was concerned with considering how each submission addressed the five questions set out in the SSCI document. The submissions were not therefore measured against each other or ordered in a formal rank. The five questions, and the relevant considerations under each, are set out in Annex B of the SSCI report.
Many projects were found to meet or go beyond the principles of SSCI, with the remainder either not providing enough information in relation to one or more of the questions or considered not to perform well enough against the criteria. The 11 projects selected as exemplars best demonstrate how sustainable communities could be achieved considering all five questions in combination.
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Q. How much influence did the planning status of the sites have on how projects were assessed?
A. The SSCI is focussed on outcomes and deliverability was one of the key principles outlined in the SSCI framework document. Where sites were not allocated in development plans or supported by an emerging spatial strategy, proposers were asked to demonstrate a realistic and convincing strategy for obtaining necessary permissions to ensure delivery within the proposed timescale.
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Q. Why are there not more examples of projects not already confirmed in development plans?
A. The assessment process identified projects that best demonstrated how sustainable communities could be achieved, addressing the five principles in combination. Two out of the eleven exemplar projects, Grandhome & Whitestripes and Tornagrain are not yet allocated in development plans. While these submissions were able to demonstrate a realistic and convincing strategy for obtaining necessary permissions to ensure delivery within the proposed timescale, recognition under the SSCI does not replace the role of the local authority in undertaking their planning functions. Considerations against SSCI objectives is not equivalent to the planning role of the local authority.
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Q. Why were exemplars of different types of development not selected to show what can be achieved on different scales?
A. The assessment considered each of the 68 submissions on their own merit against the 5 questions, without dividing submissions into categories based on geography, scale or use.
The assessment has however resulted in projects being identified which are in different locations across the country, represent a variety different types of development and vary in scale. Some have a focus on regeneration, others expand and support existing places, one is a completely new settlement. This varied result should assist associated learning opportunities, highlighting different types of sustainable communities, which are planned and delivered in different ways.
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Q. Why were further discussions with proposers, as indicated in the SSCI framework document, not pursued?
A. The volume of submissions received (68) made this unmanageable. The assessment was based solely on the content of the submissions received, and no additional information was sought from any proposer.
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Q. Why focus on the long-term when the construction industry needs help to deliver houses now?
A: The Scottish Government is providing support to the construction industry in the short term by, for example, bringing forward investment in social housing and working with the Housing Supply Task Force to help ensure that house-building is able to grow again once market conditions recover.
The SSCI is about taking a long term view. It is extremely encouraging to have received a positive response to the Initiative, particularly in light of the prevailing economic climate. It seems that during a period of uncertainty the SSCI has encouraged some to take the opportunity to step back and rethink the way development might happen in the future.
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Q: When will development of the first community begin?
A. Where a proposal is supported by the development plan for the area and all necessary information is available to enable the efficient processing of a planning application, it may be possible to see the first developments coming forward within a fairly short period of time.
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Q. Why select projects that are already on the ground and delivering already (such as the Urban Regeneration Companies)?
A. The SSCI framework document did not prescribe the form of proposals to be submitted. The assessment considered each of the 68 submissions on their own merits against the 5 questions, without bias relating to the stage of delivery. It is important to recognise achievements already made. The inclusion of projects that already demonstrate what can be achieved will benefit the sharing of knowledge and learning opportunities promoted through the Initiative.
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Q. Why are there two projects from the same proposer in the exemplar list i.e. Speirs Locks and Maryhill Locks?
A. The assessment considered each of the 68 submissions on their own merits against the 5 questions, without bias relating to the proposer. Although Speirs Locks and Maryhill Locks are both promoted by the Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership, the projects themselves are different and considered worthy of recognition in their own right.
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Q. What happens next?
Alongside the announcement of eleven demonstration projects, the Scottish Government announced a package of support to ensure all stakeholders will benefit from the sharing of information and best practice.
Targeted support will be tailored to the needs of the eleven projects and will relate to the stage each has reached. There will be a variety of means of delivering this support and innovative approaches will be piloted and encouraged. The impact of the support given will be monitored and reviewed, to ensure it is helping to achieve progress towards delivery, and contribute to wider learning.
Acknowledging the significant commitment shown to achieving more sustainable forms of development through making submissions to the SSCI, a package of general support will be available to all of the 68 proposers, and in some cases to a wider audience. This support will provide opportunities to access specialist advice, share experience and knowledge with others, and is intended to ensure a long lasting impact of the Initiative.
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Q. How can I access the support I need for my project?
The first step would be to register on the Scottish Government's Mixed and Sustainable Communities Learning Network. This is free of charge. The learning network provides an opportunity for proposers to interact with others to share common concerns, problems and passions, whilst deepening knowledge and expertise in the process. It gives practical help to those working at a local level and connects people from across Scotland and beyond. The web resource of the learning network will be updated periodically with progress and lessons from the Scottish Sustainable Community demonstration projects.
All SSCI proposers will be invited to workshops to give continued encouragement for SSCI principles and to share good practice. Invitations will be circulated to SSCI proposers when events are arranged.
Meetings will be held with each of the eleven exemplars to assist in shaping a support package.
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Q. If I am not an exemplar project - what help has the SSCI been to my project?
A. It is important to acknowledge that many of the projects that are not being specifically recognised did well in relation to some of the principles of the Initiative, and many will proceed to deliver quality developments. The package of support has been designed in recognition of that, and we hope that project proposers will continue to engage to share knowledge and learn from each other.
Q. Will there be another round of the Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative?
A: The impact of the SSCI will be kept under review as the next phase gets underway. The potential for a future round of SSCI will be considered at a later date.
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