Scottish Government

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 font size should be no less than 12pt. The deadline for submitting applications is 9 September 2005. 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.

Name of key partners (if appropriate)

Tick the category of nomination

Development Plans

Development Control

Development on the Ground

Community Involvement

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 consists of work over 3 years to develop the full range of aspects of community involvement in Planning in its widest sense in Glasgow's West End.

Friends of Glasgow West had been active in conservation and amenity since 1996, but took up this major challenge as a 3-year project in 2002.

Context - describe the background to the project.

Friends of Glasgow West are a voluntary amenity group in Glasgow's Victorian and Edward ian West End. The West End is currently experiencing a tide of developments, ranging for internal and external alterations to new-build of blocks of flats in gap sites and other locations. The new City Plan is guiding these developments. The community in general, and the Friends of Glasgow West in particular, are keen to ensure the best possible outcome in this period of opportunity.

The high-quality building conservation projects carried out by the Glasgow Conservation Trust West in the same area over 15 years, have provided a completely solid background and foundation for the community aspects which this project represents.

What are the aims and objectives of the project?

General Aim: To preserve and enhance the character and appearance of Glasgow West Outstanding Conservation Area, a role we share with the local community, GCC Dev&Regen Services, Glasgow Conservation Trust West, and Historic Scotland.

Specific Objectives:

• High-quality enlightened planning application responses
• Community side-benefit from controversial planning applications
• Partnership with professional bodies and voluntary groups who share our aspirations
• Full participation in Glasgow City Plan
• Advocacy in national and local Planning consultations and a wide range of related issues
• Education of Professionals and the Public about Conservation

Timescale - over what timescale has the project been developed?

We have worked on this project for 3 years, and achieved all our key objectives.

In a recent strategy review for our next 3-year plan, we have decided to disseminate our work more effectively with a major campaign of information to all 25,000 households in the West End, issuing 2 mailshots per year for the next 3 years.

Action - Explain the process and action taken

The Glasgow City Plan, August 2003, was an important starting point in our work. We participated at every stage including the PLI. The 5-year review is already begun, with our further input planned. Such an innovative approach as Glasgow has taken has put many issues in sharp relief which we have used to the benefit of the West End. The role of 21st century development in a Victorian/Edwardian conservation has raised subtle questions which we have learned to understand.

Starting with the GCC weekly lists of Development Applications, and responding with objections where appropriate, we have gained a high degree of expertise which can only be considered "Professional Knowledge. We wrote leaflets entitled "Making Planning Objections" and "Dealing with a Development Next Door" to inform local residents. Involvement in a few Local Planning Inquiries, and an annual review of cases in the West End with our local Dev & Regen Services, completes this picture.

We twice provided the GCC HMO Unit with 1,000 leaflets free of charge, for the HMO landlords.

Advocacy at national level has been an essential element, and we have responded to most stages of current Scot Exec reviews on Planning and PLI's. We make a special point of "Joined-Up Thinking", eg Scot Exec Housing Consultations (Scottish Tenement Group), Architecture (working with RIAS), and Education I Information issues.

The education aspects of the project have recently been consolidated in Glasgow University DACE, with Taking Care of Older Buildings courses: Level 1, for the public, Level 2 and 3 CPD for architects, planners, surveyors and other buildings professionals.

Explain the role of the key partners

We have a full co-operative relationship with partners, meeting and exchanging information and ideas frequently. This project could not have been achieved without input from all these directions.

Results -what results were achieved?

• High-quality enlightened planning application responses made on a regular basis
• Community side-benefit from controversial planning applications includes new residents associations and increased involvement in conservation issues
• Partnership with professional bodies and voluntary groups is very wide. See list at start of application. Also RTPI, SFHA, RIAS, RICS, PMAS and others.
• Full participation in Glasgow City Plan was achieved, to be continued to 1st 5-year review.
• Advocacy in national consultations has included Planning Legislation, and being invited by Scottish Parliament Communities Committee to go and comment on Housing Bill in April 2005.
• Education of Professionals and the Public about Conservation has resulted in a full programme presented by David Martin in Glasgow University DACE for professionals and the public.

Conclusion - In summary, why does this piece of work merit an Award?

Our holistic, well-managed and successful project has provided an excellent basis for future progress in Community Participation in Planning, both in the West End and Citywide, to preserve and enhance the built heritage of Glasgow's West End for the economic and cultural benefit of the local community, for the wider Glasgow population, and for visitors from Scotland and abroad.

Date: 13 September 2005