Grangemouth public park hailed at planning awards

THE transformation of a public park in the town of Grangemouth has been declared overall winner of an awards competition, recognising planning in Scotland.

Zetland Park took the top prize last night at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Scotland Awards for Planning Excellence.

Says the RTPI, here: “The Zetland Park Project is an exemplar of community-driven, local authority-enabled placemaking, focussed park regeneration.

“It has delivered above and beyond its original proposals and achieved its main objective: to rejuvenate Portonian (collective noun for Grangemouth People) pride.

“To achieve this at any time is a commendable success; to achieve this entirely throughout Covid and multiple national lockdowns, price increases and supply issues is remarkable.

“At a time of global change and re-evaluation, this project has reaffirmed that heritage projects can make a massive difference to people’s wellbeing and lives as well as their quality of place.”

Adds Falkirk Council, here: “With a focus on rejuvenating the pride of the Portonian community, the Zetland Park project surpassed its original proposals and successfully delivered a remarkable £2.53 million park regeneration initiative.”

Other winners were:

Best plan – Aberdeen Net Zero Routemap, entered by Aberdeen City Council

Best project – University of Glasgow Western Campus, entered by University of Glasgow

Planning authority – Strategic Place Planning Service, Aberdeen City Council

Young planner – Sarah Purves, Fife Council

Continues the RTP: “All the RTPI Scotland Awards winning entries will be put forward for the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence national awards. The national shortlist will be announced on October 9. And the winners will be honoured at a celebration ceremony taking place in London on November 21.”

Picture credit: Falkirk Council

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