September 12, 2012
Credit where it’s due
Glasgow City Council is often criticised for its apparent intransigence in its dealings with local communities – the travails of North Kelvin Meadow being a case in point . So when awards are dished out for ‘quality in community involvement’ and it’s announced that Glasgow City Council has scooped the top prize, it’s got to be worth more than a passing mention.
12/09/12
Glasgow City Council was awarded the top prize for Community Involvement at last night’s Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. Facing off competition from all around Scotland, Glasgow’s ‘Stalled Spaces’ initiative was awarded the top prize in the Community Involvement category by Planning Minister, Derek Mackay MSP. Glasgow City Council’s Stalled Spaces initiative focuses on the temporary use of vacant or under-utilised land to deliver a range of projects, enabling physical renewal and fostering community empowerment throughout Glasgow.
Alistair MacDonald, Head of Planning and Building Control Services, Glasgow City Council:
“This is a wonderful accolade for a project which is helping to breathe new life into the heart of communities across our city. Glasgow’s innovated approach to utilising stalled construction sites or land for community benefit is a great example of people working together to make a real difference to their local area.”
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Stalled Spaces team for a job well done. We hope that this award will help to promote the Stalled Spaces initiative to a wider audience and encourage more communities, developers and organisations to get involved.”
Planning Aid for Scotland was invited to assist this year’s judging panel in the Community Involvement category. Petra Biberbach, Chief Executive, Planning Aid for Scotland:
“Glasgow’s Stalled Spaces initiative has been recognised by the Quality in Planning Awards as an innovative example of community involvement in the planning system. It is encouraging to see such a strong partnership approach between the Council, its partner organisations and the many communities around the city, where the people are empowered to make positive changes in their environment.”
Derek Mackay MSP, Minister for Local Government and Planning:
“This is the first year that I have had the pleasure of championing the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. With all of the recent commitment that has gone into planning reform, I am delighted that this year has produced a high number of good quality applications.”
Argyll and Bute Council received a commendation in the Community Involvement category for its Craignish Community Plan, whilst the overall winner at the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning was Falkirk Council for its Falkirk Greenspace Initiative.