The search is on again for the best designed local buildings, with the launch of the Scottish Borders Design Award Scheme 2011.

Last held in 2009, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) is pleased to run this scheme again and entries are now being invited for the competition. Organised by the Countryside and Heritage Team of the Environment and Infrastructure Department, the award scheme is intended to recognise and publicise examples of recent good design in the Scottish Borders.

Councillor Carolyn Riddell-Carre, Executive Member for Planning and Environment, recently launched the 2011 Design Award scheme at the inaugural Scottish Borders Design Forum meeting in Newtown St Boswells. She said: "This award scheme represents a positive element in our drive to improve design standards by recognising and highlighting examples of good design already completed.

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"The Administration of the Council was elected in May 2007 to commit itself, as a priority, ‘to defend the character of the Borders by raising standards of building design, including renewable requirements’ - part of The Bright Future for the Borders. To date the Council has very much taken forward this priority through the production and adoption of the Supplementary Planning Guidance on Placemaking and Design, launched in January 2010, which is now embedded in the assessment of development proposals; the establishment of a Scottish Borders Design Forum not only to promote good design but to educate and inspire all those involved in new developments to raise their standards; and the continuation of the biennial Scottish Borders Design Awards which I was pleased to launch and invite entries to be submitted."

A panel of independent experts will judge the competition in September, with the winners being invited to an awards ceremony at the next Scottish Borders Design Forum meeting in October 2011.

(CD/KMcA)