A pioneering low-carbon community badged the 'conservation area of tomorrow' aims to set new standards in urban planning.

The 121 home Polnoon development near Eaglesham Village in East Renfrewshire, encapsulates a new design approach to build a better quality living environment.

The Scottish government has worked with developer Mactaggart & Mickel Ltd and East Renfrewshire Council to deliver a revised masterplan for a site that originally received planning permission in 2006.

The new design includes interconnected shared areas such as a central square, lanes and courts, making a better use of space and encouraging walking and cycling.

The development, which includes affordable housing and shared equity scheme for first time buyers, will be a prime example of what planners, house builders and communities can achieve through partnership in developing more sustainable places. The plans will be presented to a meeting of senior planners in Edinburgh today.

Welcoming the project, Finance Secretary John Swinney, said: "The Polnoon project demonstrates what can be achieved in a residential development where the focus is on designing quality streets, public spaces and housing. The project collaboration has applied Scottish government planning advice and Mactaggart & Mickel's award winning track record for good design to ensure an excellent sustainable design which enhances the environment for residents.

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"New developments of this kind have an important role to play in helping to position Scotland's economy for recovery while certain a greener and healthier environment and I hope that this project in East Renfrewshire will set a new standard for residential development across Scotland."

Director of Mactaggart & Mickel, Andrew Mickel commented: "Polnoon is just a starting point and we hope it will become a showcase for what can be achieved for Scotland's future design and development. The team has proven it can be done and this template of good practice can now be implemented across the country.

"Challenges did arise during the process and we shared mutual frustrations, but the level of engagement and the provision of a dedicated project manager meant issues were addressed quickly and alterations could be implemented with ease."

Planning permission was originally granted for the Polnoon moorland in 2006. However, following an approach from Mactaggart & Mickel to the Scottish government, it was agreed that Ministers would contribute £10,000 towards revised proposals to make better use of street design, open space and housing design in a bid to promote best planning practice, in line with planning advice. Planning permission and road construction consent for the revised plans was granted in October 2009.

Mactaggart & Mickel has owned the site since 1969. The previous plans for the site were largely based on cul-de-sacs seen in many other modern developments. The new plans focus on making better use of the space, including a central square, a more pedestrian-friendly environment, a drainage system integrated into landscaping, minimum signage and road marking and innovative street lighting.

(GK/KMcA)