Scottish Government

Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2003

Application form

This application form can either be completed by hand or electronically (pdf version) on the Planning homepage at www.scotland.gov.uk/planning . Please complete all four questions. The deadline is 12 September 2003. An acknowledgement letter will be sent to the person who has completed this form.

Please provide a name and contact details of the organisation responsible for this work. If partners were involved, identify the lead organisation, and then list the other partners/bodies who had a key role.

Name of key partners (if appropriate)

Please complete the form by providing a brief summary (in no more than the space provided) 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.

Please tick the key criteria which relate to this entry:

You must describe in your written submission (below) how the criteria which you have ticked relates to your project.

Description of project

The project builds a section of the Clyde Walkway and tackles woodland management in a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

During the 1980's, open spaces in Bothwell Castle estate were developed for private housing. The woodland was passed to the owneship of the council and a walkway buil;t on the council owned land. Unfortunately no agreement could be reached at the time to continue the walkway through private land. The mising link was by-passed using two long flights of steps to a roadside pavement. During the 1990's, a management plan was drawn up for the council owned woodland. The walled garden was also returned for residential use in 1999.

During the construction phase, engineering solutions were required to address difficult site access and steep gradients.

Consultation also took place with SNH regarding woodland management and specifically rhodedendron clearance.

Timescale (over which the project has developed)

The project has been developed over a long number of years with the path construction works commencing January 2002 and were completed September 2003.

Context (the problem which had to be addressed)

The project had to address:

• poor access along the River Clyde;
• poorly managed woodland;
• new residential development comprising 47 houses within the former walled garden;
• difficult site conditions and access.

Action taken

Preparatory work undertaken included:

• transfer of 7.3 hectares of private woodland to South Lanarkshire Council, allowing integration with council woodland on either side;
• Woodland Management Plan for the site was produced;
• Transfer of £82,415 funds from Bryant Homes to the council as a contribution to the project costs;
• 1.3km of new riverside path and links required including construction of gabion walls. path surfaced with hard wearing sealed gravel.

Results achieved

• 1.3km of new riverside path and links created;
• 1 Ha of rhodedendron cleared from river - in consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage;
• historic details discovered during the construction of the path;
• completion of the Strategic Clyde Walkway route through Bothwell woods.

Conclusion - Why does this piece of work merit an Award?

The project demonstrates how planning gain can be derived from housing development and can be used to produce positive results for public benefit. It also demonstrates how access, biodiversity and urban expansion can be integrated in a complementary way, achieving gains on all three fronts in a sustainable manor.

Date
16 September 2003