The plans used to regenerate the Orkney fishing town of Stromness have scooped a prestigious national award.
The Royal Town Planning Institute’s (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence in London saw the 10-year plan take the Silver Jubilee Cup. The event is one of the most established and respected awards ceremonies for the planning industry in the UK.
Craig McLaren, RTPI awards adviser, said: “Stromness has been regenerated over the past 10 years through a comprehensive, plan-led strategy.
It was spearheaded by the council’s planners, who were key to its success through establishing a vision for the town and ensuring commitment from other players to help deliver it.”
He said the transformation had been “dramatic”, adding: “This remarkable ‘place-based’ approach could be used as a blueprint to revive declining towns across the country.”
Twelve major projects have been implemented by planners at Orkney Islands Council across the town over the project’s duration. A new primary school, new and upgraded public spaces, shops and businesses have been introduced as part of the major development.
The town, renowned for its ties to the fishing industry, also received a new fishery pier, aided through European funding, with new industrial units constructed and assigned near to the pier.