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Application form
Please make sure you have read all the notes carefully before you start to fill in the application form. This application form can either be completed by hand or electronically - it is available on the Planning homepage at www.scotland.gov.uk/planning. Please complete all five sections. The deadline for submitting applications is 27 August 2008. An acknowledgement letter will be sent to the person who has completed this form.
1 Please provide a name and contact details of the lead organisation responsible for this work.
Name | Iain McDiarmid |
Job title | Head of Planning |
Organisation | Shetland Islands Council |
Address | Grantfield, Lerwick |
Telephone | 01595 744813 |
Fax | |
Email | iain.mcdiarmid@shetland.gov.uk |
2 If this is a joint application, please list the other partners who had a key role. You should also inform your partners that you are nominating the project for an award.
3 Tick one nomination category
4 Title of entry | Lerwick Waterfront Regeneration |
Please complete the form on the following pages by providing a brief summary of the piece of work you have entered. You must also conclude with a key reason as to why you think this work merits an Award. Only the two A4 pages supplied here can be used and your text must fit within the boxes. The font size should be no less than 12pt.
The judging criteria are set out below. Please tick only the key criteria relevant to your entry:
You must describe how the project relates to the criteria which you have ticked.
Description of project
The overall aim of the project was to regenerate Lerwick's Waterfront, creating a vibrant extension to the town centre by encouraging a wide range of activities and amenities. By working with our partners on key developments like the North Ness Business Park, the start of the coastal walk, the refubishment of the old ice factory into the Shetland Amenity Trust offices and the new Museum and Archives, we have succeeded in priming the area for regeneration through a mixture of cultural and commercial uses. |
Describe the background to the project
Before partially becoming a derelict area, the waterfront was a working dock owned by the Hay's company since 1815. A a visitor described it in 1841 as
"an immense concern, containing within itself the means and materials of every kind of work" As numerous examples throughout the world have shown, derelict waterfont industrial areas could be regenerated by mixed use development, often using cultural activities as a catalyst. In Lerwick, we sought to follow this successful model. |
What are the aims and objectives of the project?
The main aims are: to develop a 'cultural quarter' within the town, creating a vibrant and active area as a catalyst for regeneration to attract new commercial users starting with the North Ness Business park to extend the town centre along the waterfront, thereby protecting and enhancing Lerwick's vitality and viability to preserve the older aspects of the waterfront with the regeneration of the Ice Factory, the Gutter's Hut and Hay's Dock and Store, all of which are B listed. |
Over what timescale has the project been developed?
The first development strategy was created in 1991. On the ground, the regeneration of the Lerwick Waterfront has involved various building schemes over a large area and the process and has been ongoing for several years. The very first action taken at the waterfront area was the purchase of the land for the North Ness Business Park in 1996. The latest finished project is the new Museum and Archives that has been completed in June 2007. |
Explain the process and action taken
The first Waterfront Development Strategy aimed at finding an appropriate land use for the Lerwick Waterfront was published in 1991. In 1997 the Town Centre Strategy was published, with the aim of protecting the town centre. The two groups behind these projects were later merged. The 2001-2011 Masterplan was developed for the regeneration of the Waterfront, co-ordinating physical changes and developments. The Lerwick Old Town and Waterfront Steering Group was formed in 2005, bringing together community based representatives with a range of commercial and statutory organisations seeking to protect and enhance the area. The Masterplan for the Shetland Culture Quarter 2007-2020 incorporates all previous Masterplans. |
Explain the role of the key partners
Shetland Leasing and Property ( SLAP) part of Shetland's Charitable Trust, and Shetland Enterprise participated in the development of the North Ness Business Park in terms of acquiring land, providing better access via a new roundabout and general funding. Shetland Amenity Trust developed a number of projects, and gained funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund who awarded over £5 million towards the building of the new Museum and Archives. The Lerwick Old Town and Waterfront Group worked together with the Council Planning Service on determining what was needed and how the new facilities should be provided. These partnerships provided the drive and initiative to take all the projects forwards. |
What results were achieved?
On the ground we have the near completion of North Ness Business Park, partial completion of the Waterfront Walkway, new offices for the Shetland Amenity Trust, the new Museum and Archives - and the Mareel Cinema and music venue has funding and planning permission in place. We also have broad public and political support for our long term objectives contained in the Lerwick Waterfront Regeneration Strategy. |
In summary, why does this piece of work merit an Award?
The project demonstrates that partneship working can deliver exciting new development on the ground. The mix of business and cultural developments is leading the ongoing regeneration of Lerwick's historic waterfront. The new buildings erected, and the existing listed buildings that have been sensitively restored, are now landmarks of the town. Since its inception, the project has created a momentum for development which will contribute to the vitality and economic growth of Lerwick by securing our town centre's purpose as a focal point for all our community's needs. |
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