A development plan covering four council areas and the next 20 years has beaten off competition from the London Olympics to lift a top industry award.

TAYplan's strategic development plan brought home the prestigious UK Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Silver Jubilee Cup for being "original and visionary in scope".

Clive Betts MP, Chair of the influential Communities and Local Government Select Committee, presented stunned TAYplan representatives with their award at a ceremony in London.

More than 130 entries were received from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland and 34 projects were shortlisted across nine diverse categories covering topics including heritage, rural areas, and planning for business.

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Current chair of TAYplan Cllr John Kellas said: "We are all delighted to pick up the top planning award in the UK over such illustrious and high-profile competition.

"But to be honest we are totally stunned as well."

Congratulating the TAYplan team, Colin Haylock president of the RTPI, said: "Planners make great places, and what TAYplan demonstrate is that it is possible to show people how planners go about doing that.

"By approaching the need for a long-term strategy in a new way, they have brought planning alive.

"What is so refreshing is what could be a dry technical document has been made accessible by presenting the information in a much more visual manner. The result is a proposed strategy that is simultaneously written to be easily read and understood by a wide audience, professionally robust, and in line with the Scottish Government’s desire for a more efficient planning system."

Scottish Government planning minister, Derek Mackay said: "I am delighted that the TAYplan team has received this well-earned recognition.

"This is a good example of local authorities working effectively together to develop a long-term strategy for sustainable economic growth and the transition to a low carbon economy."

Entries were judged by a panel of planning experts who examined written submissions, carried out interviews and conducted site visits. After which the TAYplan submission came out on top.

(GK)