Ian McLarty, Head of Planning and Building Standards for South Ayrshire Council has accepted an invitation from Malcolm Chisholm, MSP, to be a member of the national judging panel for the 2005 Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning.

On being informed of Ian’s participation the Convener of South Ayrshire Council’s Planning Committee, Councillor Helen Moonie said: “Ian has been selected by the Scottish Government to take part in the judging due to his outstanding professional achievements, a national reputation on planning matters, excellent communication skills and the wealth of experience that he will be able to bring to the panel.

“The invitation was issued because of Ian’s professional standing in his chosen field, and not because of the position he holds within the Council.

“I am delighted that a member of the Council’s staff is held in such high regard that he will be taking part in the judging for the 2005 Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. As the only professional planner on the panel I am sure that he will be able to make a very valuable contribution to it.”

The judging panel will consist of three members from a wide range of backgrounds whose individual experiences will ensure that each application is considered from various viewpoints.

Ian will be joined on the panel by Joan Burnie, Associate Editor of the Daily Record, who will Chair the panel, and will consider applications from the consumer’s point of view. The third member of the panel will be Fiona Moriarty, Director Scottish Retail Consortium who will be able to share her business and industry experience with the other panel members.

The Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning scheme has been running for eight years, in association with the Royal Town Planning Institute. The awards help to raise awareness of how standards of development and process can be improved.

It was first launched in August 1997 to recognise and encourage quality in the planning system. It is an important initiative that continues to attract increasing attention from members of the public, business people and those with a professional interest in planning matters.

There are four categories under which applications are invited:

• Development control
• Development plans
• Development on the ground
• Community Involvement

A Partnership Agreement exists which commits the Scottish Government to strengthen the involvement of communities in planning matters, and this message is being reinforced this year with the introduction of the Community Involvement category.

Anyone who would like further information on the 2005 Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning, on information on how to submit an application, should log on to www.scotland.gov./planning.

The winners of the Awards will be announced later this year.

Ian McLarty pictured within his office at Burns House.


July 2005