East Ayrshire Minerals Local Development Plan nominated for prestigious planning industry award

The East Ayrshire Minerals Local Development Plan has been named as a finalist in the category for Excellence in Plan Making Practice at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2021.

The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are the most established and respected awards in the UK planning industry. Running for over 40 years, they celebrate exceptional examples of planning and the contribution planners make to society.

The Minerals Local Development Plan has a focus on restoration which was key to securing a £2.2 million regeneration lottery grant prior to its adoption.

Councillor Jim Roberts, Chair of the East Ayrshire Planning Committee and Cabinet spokesperson for the environment and infrastructure was delighted to hear of the nomination.

He said: “Our Minerals Local Development Plan is a very worthy finalist in this award category and I commend our planning officers and our Member/Officer Working Group for their innovative approach in taking this forward.

“This Plan was borne out of social, economic and environmental disaster following the demise of the opencast coal industry in the area, but far from doing the bare minimum, the Council sought to find creative solutions to actively address the issues it faced.

“The Council has taken the lead in implementing and regenerating, using the Plan as a driver to deliver positive outcomes for our local communities.

“I wish the team well when the winners are declared in a few weeks’ time!”

RTPI President Wei Yang FRTPI said: “Many congratulations to all the finalists at this year’s RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence – these projects, teams and individuals showcase the very best of the planning profession from all the RTPI’s regions and nations and from countries around the world.

“For over 40 years, these prestigious awards have celebrated the exceptional work undertaken by town planners. In the middle of a global pandemic, I believe they are more relevant than ever before, recognising the incredible commitment and dedication of planners who have risen to the challenge of responding to the impacts of Covid-19 on the planning system.

“I wish all the finalists the very best of luck at the ceremony on 29 April.”

The winners will be announced during a ceremony held virtually in the Awards Room on Evessio at 4pm on Thursday 29 April 2021.

https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/Resources/PDF/M/Minerals-LDP.pdf