Scottish Government

Development on the ground

There were 9 nominations for outstanding performance and quality in the development on the ground category. We recommend 2 Awards and 2 Commendations in this category.

1. Baxter Park, Dundee

Nominees

Dundee City Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland, Stobswell Forum, Baxter Family Descendants

Description

This project involves the phased restoration of Sir Joseph Paxton's original landscape design as the setting for a restored A Listed Building. The project also includes a new visitor centre, meeting facility, urban ranger base and a new youth facility. The footpath network has been restored to its original layout and play equipment has been replaced and improved.

Judges' comments

It was a pleasure to visit Baxter Park and appreciate the impact that this project has had in the surrounding area. The Council has successfully restored this important park to an extremely high standard. The restoration of the Pavilion is sensitive and provides a high quality landmark in the area. We were impressed by the Council's dedication to sourcing traditional craftsmen and materials. The new build is sympathetic and functional and provides valuable meeting space for the community. The local community are already benefiting from the improved facilities and we are very pleased to hear that a sense of local ownership has developed in a short space of time. The protection and improvement of this extremely valuable green space has not only been a success within the park boundaries but will undoubtedly act as a catalyst for further regeneration in the area. We recommend an Award.

AWARD

2. Duntocher Village Green Project

Nominees

West Dunbartonshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Greenspace

Description

This project aimed to bring into use an area of vacant and derelict land previously occupied by a scrap metal works. Following decontamination works, the site was developed into a new community park. Public meetings were held to allow the community opportunity to comment on the final layout and form of the Park. Initial discussions about this project took place in 2003 and Duntocher Village Green was officially opened in June 2007.

Judges' comments

We were pleased to see that this prominent site in the village has been brought back into community use. The process displayed good project management by the Council. We are encouraged to hear that the community had an active role to play in identifying the need for more informal greenspace in the area and in the detail of the layout and form of the park. The final development provides a valuable community resource whilst also regenerating and improving this visible site.

3. Eastern Cairngorms Access Project

Nominees

Angus Council, Aberdeenshire Council and Upper Deeside Access Trust

Description

This project aimed to restore 26 km of the most popular but most damaged mountain paths in the Angus Glens and Upper Deeside. The project has also created and improved more than 150 km of other path networks, provided signage and guidance leaflets for visitors, and has improved visitor facilities. The project was also linked to a marketing and promotion campaign to make the public aware of the attractions of the area whilst encouraging responsible access to enjoy the environment.

Judges' comments

We were impressed with this project and considered it to be well managed. We recognise the positive impact it has had on the local area for the environment and economy. We were particularly pleased to hear about the number of jobs created and the positive impact it has had on tourism in the area. Unfortunately, we did not find enough links to the statutory planning system but wish the project success in other awards processes.

4. Barony 'A' Frame Restoration

Nominee

East Ayrshire Council and Barony 'A' Frame Trust

Description

This project involved the restoration of the B listed Barony 'A' Frame pit winding structure which was in a serious state of disrepair. The main objectives of the project were to retain and restore the 'A' Frame for community and educational benefit, ensure the project became an icon of the area's mining heritage and improve a memorial for those workers who lost their lives at the site. It also aimed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of the planning system and profession.

Judges' comments

We found this unusual project extremely interesting. We recognise the value that the 'A' Frame has to the area and consider its restoration to be of a high quality. The site is now a pleasant place for the community to visit and to learn about mining through the educational information available. We were impressed by the Council's management of the project particularly considering the large and complex financial portfolio. We note that the Council has ensured the 'A' Frame will be low maintenance in the future and again consider this to be good management by the Council. Overall, we were impressed by this valuable regeneration project. The benefits for the community and for mining heritage are clear. We hope that the restoration of this landmark structure will act as a catalyst for further regeneration in the area. We recommend a Commendation.

COMMENDATION

5. Townhead Baptist Church, Kirkintilloch

Nominee

East Dunbartonshire Council, SMC Davis Duncan Architects, Kirkintilloch Baptist Church, Doig and Smith Cost Consultant, Dunwoody Services Consultant, DC Farquhar and Partners Structural Engineer and Fleming Buildings Contractor

Description

This project centres around the redevelopment of Townhead Baptist Church in Kirkintilloch. The church has expanded over a number of years to occupy a range of interconnected buildings within the same block. An initial application was submitted to re-clad existing church buildings. The Council considered that the church was of a high profile in the streetscene and sought to deliver a more radical redevelopment that reflected both the importance of the church as an iconic presence in the town and the Council's proposals for town centre regeneration.

Judges' comments

We acknowledge the efforts and determination by the partners to make the best of this opportunity and are pleased to hear that successful negotiation between the partners has delivered a result which has met the aspirations of all parties. We would have liked to hear more about the wider strategy for the area and the delivery process for this project. We hope that this development acts as a catalyst for further development and regeneration in Kirkintilloch.

6. Upper Strand, Granton Waterfront, Edinburgh

Nominee

The City of Edinburgh Council, The Burrell Company, Places for People, Waterfront Edinburgh Ltd, Reiach and Hall and Elder and Canon

Description

Upper Strand forms the first phase of the regeneration of Edinburgh's Waterfront at Granton. The proposal provides 130 residential units. The layout for the development relates to the 18th-century landscape plan for the adjacent Caroline Park House. The project aimed to develop the core ideas of the Granton Waterfront Master Plan, to create a high quality sense of place and to create a model of innovation and sustainable urban regeneration that will act as a benchmark for other regeneration projects.

Judges' comments

This project has been recently completed. We were interested to hear about the details of this project from the objective of relating it to the landscape plan for Caroline House down to the detail of the sustainable heating systems and methods of waste disposal. We would however, have welcomed more information about the planning process and negotiations with the developer and the community. We do, however, look forward to hearing about the future development and regeneration of the Granton area.

7. Aberdeen Heat and Power

Nominee

Aberdeen Heat and Power Company Ltd, Aberdeen City Council, Combined Heat and Power Association, Integrated Energy Utilities and Community Energy Services

Description

This project involves the development and installation of combined heat and power ( CHP) schemes to improve the energy efficiency of Aberdeen City Council's multi-storey flats. The aims included reducing CO ₂ emissions, reduce fuel poverty, provide training and employment opportunities in heating installation and maintenance and ensure associated heating infrastructure is integrated within the local environment. Consultants were commissioned to consider the siting of the plants.

Judges' comments

This was an interesting project which has links to the planning system through the sustainability agenda and site selection processes. We recognise the important benefits to the environment and were impressed by the effective management of these projects. We consider that the site selection process was well handled, and the plants successfully integrated into the environment, using recycled materials in certain circumstances. The benefits to the local community were impressive, providing them with environmentally friendly and affordable heating and allowing them to play an active role in the design and delivery process. We acknowledge the extremely positive feedback from the community and are glad to hear that this project has led to a greater understanding of energy efficiency and sustainability and allowed them to take a sense of ownership over the project. We recommend a Commendation.

COMMENDATION

8. Holy Cross High School

Nominee

South Lanarkshire Council

Description

This Public Private Partnership project involves the development of the new Holy Cross High School in Hamilton. In addition to finding an alternative site for the relocation of the school, the Council wanted to ensure that community facilities were provided and that all stakeholders and the community were engaged in the process.

Judges' comments

We agree that this project represented good partnership working between Council departments. We acknowledge the wider community benefits gained through this project including the provision of new community facilities and environmental improvements. Whilst we believe this project has had a successful outcome, we were unfortunately not aware of any issues of outstanding value that would merit an award.

9. The Carrick Golf Resort Development, Midross, Loch Lomond

Nominee

Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park

Description

This development includes the formation of an 18 hole golf course, the erection of holiday apartments and lodges, a clubhouse and leisure complex, a footpath network and the creation of a nature reserve. A detailed planning application was received shortly after the establishment of the National Park Authority and significant negotiations were required to raise the standard of development, particularly in relation to landscape design, integrated site management and the siting and design of buildings.

Judges' comments

This entry benefited from a clear and comprehensive submission and presentation. We were extremely impressed with this proposal which has effectively dealt with a large number and variety of sensitivities from integrating a development of this scale into a sensitive landscape, minimising visual intrusion from surrounding roads and hills, safeguarding archaeology, avoiding light pollution and ensuring the protection of certain species. We believe that this is an excellent example of effective management of the development management process which has resulted in the achievement of a high quality development on the ground. We note the extensive negotiation on issues such as design and public access and are encouraged that the National Park Authority used their enforcement powers, where necessary, to ensure the vision for the development was not compromised. The future management of the site has been safeguarded through various management plans and a legal agreement should ownership of the site change. Overall we consider that the active management by the National Park Authority has had a fundamental role to play in the success of this development and is an excellent example of good practice. We recommend an Award.

AWARD