A key aim of the Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan has been delivered in the shape of a national award for a new North-east development.

Scotia's Glenside development at Rothienorman has won national recognition at the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning.

Glenside, a development of 71 homes – along with commercial space, a café, shops and office space – was the overall winner at the ceremony in Edinburgh, with the award presented by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney MSP.

The judging panel "were extremely impressed with the achievement of a mixed-use development that fits well into the existing context, has been commercially successful, and demonstrates the attitudes and behaviours that represent a positive planning culture".

The Structure Plan targets national recognition for the quality and design of new developments in the North-east – and the Rothienorman development reflects many of its aspirations in relation to sustainable mixed communities.

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The finalised plan was drawn up by the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority to ensure the region maintains and enhances its attractiveness and continues to develop sustainably over the next 25 years.

The document maps out a framework for the delivery of new homes, businesses, transport infrastructure and facilities to ensure continued prosperity. It stresses that Aberdeen City and Shire must earn a reputation for top-quality design and construction in which local people and the whole country can take pride, and emphasises the vital need to secure development which enhances the environment.

It states: "If we are to achieve our vision, we must set the highest standards for urban and rural design, the mix of land uses, using land more efficiently and re-using previously developed land.

"Our future communities must be mixed in terms of the type and size of homes, as well as their tenure and cost. We also need to make sure that new homes are designed to a high standard and that they respect and improve the existing qualities of the area."

The Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority was established under the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 primarily to prepare and keep under review a strategic development plan for the area. Scottish Ministers approved the structure plan in August 2009.

The Scottish Government runs the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. Launched in 1998, they aim to promote quality developments that have been achieved through effective planning processes and celebrate the positive contributions that individuals and organisations in all sectors make to high-quality development in Scotland. Further details of the awards can be found on the Scottish Government website.

(GK/KMcA)