Scottish Government

Development plans

Fourteen nominations were received for outstanding performance and quality in development plans. We recommend 1 Overall Winner, 1 Award and 1 Commendation in this category.

1. University of Dundee - The Campus in the City

Nominee

Dundee City Council, University of Dundee, Scottish Enterprise Tayside, Page and Park Architects with Ian White Associates, Terry Farrell and Partners

Description

This project involved the development of a Campus Plan for the University of Dundee. The Campus Plan set a vision for the future development of the area and has informed the decision making processes of the University as well as providing Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise Tayside with a clear framework for future planning and investment in the area.

Judges' comments

We recognise the value that the campus plan has had by addressing the needs of the growing campus and setting out a framework for development. We consider that it has been a useful tool to guide and assist the Partners through the development process. However, we would have welcomed further detail on the planning and master planning processes.

2. SEA: Delivering Knowledge, Efficiency and Compliance in Accordance with Sustainable Development Principles and Holistic Planning Needs

Nominee

North Ayrshire Council

Description

This project includes the provision of a strategic environmental assessment ( SEA) information system on the Council intranet site. It provides information on all aspects of SEA for officers. The information is intended to be easy to access and understand and includes the provision of templates for use at various stages of the SEA process. The system includes European and national legislation documents, presentations explaining SEA legislation and processes, internal and external lessons and best practice, environmental data sources, frequently asked questions and links to external sources of information. Updates to the system are communicated through regular e-mail updates.

Judges' comments

We were extremely impressed with this project which has resulted in a comprehensive but simple system for all officers to use. We liked the approach to empowering and educating all officers rather than relying on a single SEA expert. The system provides an extensive online database which is simple to update and easy to access. Other than officer time, there were no costs associated with this project. We agree that the templates help to ensure that all plan makers in the Council are giving consistent and correct advice. Overall, we consider that this project is an excellent example of good practice that helps to make a complicated process easier to understand and carry out. We recommend an Award.

AWARD

3. River Corridor Supplementary Development Guide

Nominees

Halcrow Fairhurst Joint Venture and Glasgow City Council

Description

The River Corridor Supplementary Guide aims to facilitate the implementation of a flood management scheme and quay wall improvements as well as improve and create public space along the River Clyde Corridor.

Judges' comments

We recognise the importance of an effective flood management scheme to the successful regeneration of this area. We are encouraged that the Guide will be linked to the development plan giving it appropriate weight for such an important issue. However, we did not find any information in the submission that displayed any evidence of an outstanding process within the planning system.

4. City Plan 2 - Engaging Communities of Interest

Nominee

Glasgow City Council

Description

The aim of this project was to improve awareness and engagement in the preparation process of the City Plan 2. The process included a best value review of the service, early presentations to stakeholders, circulation of consultation documents and promotional DVDs, posters, leaflets and touring exhibitions. Planning Aid have also facilitated community awareness sessions as part of the project.

Judges' comments

We recognise the efforts made to encourage two-way dialogue throughout the development process. We were pleased to hear that the Council aimed to reach a wider audience than usual and would have welcomed further detail on whether this proved successful. Overall, we considered this to be a positive and proactive approach to community involvement and wish the Council success in building upon this process for future consultations.

5. A Vision for Linlithgow

Nominee

Linlithgow Civic Trust

Description

This project involves the preparation of an "achievable, professional alternative development plan" by the Linlithgow Civic Trust. The document has formed the basis of a formal objection to the finalised West Lothian Local Plan. The aims of the project were to scrutinise the requirements of the town, to engage members of different groups in the development of a 'local plan', to lodge a viable alternative at Local Plan Inquiry and to publicise the vision in the local press.

Judges' comments

We acknowledge the amount of time and effort that the Civic Trust have devoted to this unusual project. We note that local residents have been fully informed about the Vision for Linlithgow but would have liked to hear more about how they were engaged in the process. We believe that effective community engagement involves all stakeholders and the community as early in the process as possible. We note that the Trust do not believe that the Council's Local Plan represented the needs of the town appropriately but we consider that the most effective way for communities to get involved in the planning process is to work in partnership with the planning authority and other stakeholders.

6. The A96 Growth Corridor Development Framework

Nominee

The Highland Council and Halcrow Group Ltd

Description

The A96 Growth Corridor Development Framework has been prepared to guide the strategic expansion of the corridor for a further 30,000 people over the period 2011 to 2041. The framework identifies the key areas of growth and the key infrastructure requirements in order to enable that growth. It also establishes a protocol for ensuring that all development contributes to the delivery of the overall solution. The aims of the project are to confirm a masterplan for the long term sustainable development of the area and to establish a living environment that is of the highest standard and best quality.

Judges' comments

We were interested to hear about the long-term approach that the Council are taking for this important area of large-scale growth. We were pleased that a wide range of partners have been appropriately involved. We consider that the project demonstrates good project management by the Council. Progressing the framework through the development plan process is an important step and we look forward to hearing how this project develops in the future.

7. Falkirk Council Supplementary Planning Guidance

Nominee

Falkirk Council

Description

This project involved the production of a series of supplementary planning guidance ( SPG) documents which were backed by corporate, community and technical consultations. Nine guidance notes have been produced to date.

Judges' comments

We are pleased to hear that the SPG has been particularly useful to planners, members and applicants. The efficiency benefits in terms of the reduction in staff time spent dealing with general enquiries is encouraging. We consider that the Council has achieved a lot in a relatively short period of time and wish them every success with the development of future SPG to add to the series.

8. The Edinburgh Standards for Sustainable Building

Nominee

The City of Edinburgh Council

Description

The Edinburgh Standards for Sustainable Building is a supplementary planning guidance document that requires all 'major' planning applications to include a Sustainability Statement. The Statement should demonstrate how the proposal addresses the Council's six principles of sustainable design best practice.

Judges' comments

We are encouraged by the Council's commitment to such an important topic. We were interested to hear about the methods used by the Council to prepare this guidance and are pleased that resources have been identified to set up a sustainable development team to advise on major applications and to provide training for the industry and council staff. The process from draft statement to final approval was relatively quick and we assume this was down to effective project management. We would have been interested to hear some feedback from the industry since the Standards implementation in May.

9. Kilmarnock Conservation Area Maintenance Guide

Nominees

East Ayrshire Council, Austin-Smith: Lord LLP, Historic Scotland, Scottish Lime Centre, Copyprint-Ayr, East Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership

Description

The Kilmarnock Conservation Area Maintenance Guide provides information to property owners on the importance of their building and the best and most economic way for them to maintain their property. The need for the Guide developed from survey work for a Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme bid which identified poor maintenance and repair as one of the biggest threats to the town's historic fabric. The key objectives of the project are to tackle the threat to Kilmarnock's historic buildings, encourage the regeneration of the historic core and safeguard Kilmarnock's built heritage for future generations.

Judges' comments

This project benefited from a very clear and thorough submission and presentation. We were extremely encouraged with the proactive nature of this scheme which encourages and educates property owners to play their part in enhancing the historic environment. It comprises very practical, non technical advice which is set out in a user-friendly format and is available in a number of different formats. The project was completed within a relatively short timescale and the process from start to finish displays the Council's excellent project management skills. The scheme is backed up by a grants system which we consider will be one of the key factors in its success. We are impressed that the document has received such positive feedback and are extremely pleased to hear that since its launch in the summer of 2007, the guide is already starting to tackle the threat to Kilmarnock's historic buildings. Overall, this is an innovative regeneration and conservation project which demonstrates the Council's commitment to actively managing the enhancement of the historic environment and is an outstanding example of good practice. We recommend that the Kilmarnock Conservation Area Maintenance Guide is the Overall Winner in 2007.

OVERALL WINNER

10. Local Plan Web Consultation

Nominees

South Lanarkshire Council

Description

The South Lanarkshire Local Plan is the first Council-wide local plan for the area. The use of technology, particularly electronic recording and internet-based consultation, was used for the finalised version of the Plan. The project seeks to extend the choices available to customers by allowing electronic as well as paper submissions. The overall objective was to increase the number of electronic representations and reduce the administrative burden on staff.

Judges' comments

We are always pleased to hear of authorities improving access to local plans through the effective use of IT. We recognise the resource benefits to the Council, particularly in terms of staff efficiency, and the advantages to the community in relation to having easy access to information. We encourage other authorities to consider a similar approach to local plan consultation.

11. Bird Sensitivity Map to provide locational guidance for onshore windfarms in Scotland

Nominees

RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage

Description

This project involved the development of a bird sensitivity map to aid location of onshore wind farms in Scotland. The map is based on distributional data for a suite of sensitive bird species. The project aims to help developers avoid the most important areas for birds and to help local authorities to plan for renewable energy developments.

Judges' comments

We thought that this project was extremely interesting and unusual. We are encouraged by the RSPB's proactive approach and consider this to be a valuable tool particularly to assist decision making in the early stages of the planning process. We are pleased to hear that a number of planning authorities have requested the map information and look forward to hearing of this projects continued success.

12. Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Plan

Nominees

Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Authority

Description

This nomination is for the preparation of the first National Park Plan for Loch Lomond & Trossachs. The Plan represents a first attempt to develop an integrated management plan that provides strategic direction and sets out priorities for action over the 5-year plan period. The Plan was approved in March 2007.

Judges' comments

The National Park Plan is the end result of a series of other processes including a State of the Park analysis report and a comprehensive community involvement strategy. We acknowledge that the preparation of this Plan would have been challenging for the National Park Authority in that it is the first of its kind. We are also aware that the very nature of the sensitive environmental and rural development issues in the Park would have made this process even more challenging and are pleased to see that the preparation timetable for the Plan was relatively short. We look forward to hearing about the successful implementation of the Plan.

13. Hopefield, Bonnyrigg

Nominees

Taylor Wimpey, EDAW and Ironside Farrar

Description

This project involves the design and implementation of a master plan for a settlement extension (80 ha) to Bonnyrigg. The project comprises new residential units, a primary school, a local centre, an employment park, open space and recycling facilities. The main aims of the project included fully integrating the extension into the existing settlement and building a high quality and distinctive place.

Judges' comments

This was an interesting developer-led project. The enthusiasm of the developer to take a different approach to their norm was encouraging and showed their commitment to trying alternative methods. The use of the masterplan kept the process on track and provided certainty. It was a robust but flexible tool to aid negotiations throughout the design process. We were particularly interested to hear how the masterplan was used to assist discussions with the local authority, allowing the council to consider alternative road standards. We commend the developers pro-active approach to seeking a high quality development and look forward to seeing the results on the ground. We recommend a Commendation.

COMMENDATION

14. Aberdeenshire Public Art Strategy

Nominees

Aberdeenshire Council, Scottish Enterprise Grampian, Communities Scotland, Development Industry and Community Councils

Description

This project was developed to deliver a co-ordinated and strategic programme of public art projects in partnership with agencies, the private sector and local communities. The project provides a range of promotional tools which include: the Public Art Strategy which provides a consistent council wide approach; a Guidance note, which provides best practice for developers, agents, artists, design professionals and community groups; and a leaflet to inform developers of the need to take art into account in their planning applications.

Judges' comments

We are encouraged by Aberdeenshire Council's proactive approach to increasing and improving the provision of public art in Aberdeenshire. We recognise the many benefits of public art to placemaking. The effective partnership working is evident and we are pleased to hear that community buy in to the project has been achieved. The project is likely to benefit tourism and the economy and we wish the group success with their future projects.