East Dunbartonshire Council has been short-listed for the Scottish Government's annual Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning.

The Council's Planning & Housing Teams worked together to deliver an extensive public consultation about affordable housing last August and their efforts have been recognised in the 'Community Involvement' category.

Council Leader, Rhondda Geekie, explained: "The provision of affordable housing here is a sensitive and complicated issue that sets us all a challenge. We have targets to meet in terms of how many new affordable homes are built, there is an unmet need for quality affordable housing, there is a limited number of suitable brownfield sites yet building on greenbelt is never a popular option."

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The Council sought the views of local people regarding the provision of housing, and ran a series of interactive Housing Land Supply Workshops across the area to address the topic.

The workshops invited participants to look at possible sites across the area, discuss what criteria should be applied when selecting a site for housing, then asked them to rate sites.

Councillor Geekie added: "The feedback we received will be used when we produce our Main Issues Report later this year as we work towards publishing a new Local Development Plan in 2016.

"Affordable housing is, without a doubt, one of the most important issues facing us as we develop the new Plan. We must get it right and involving the people of the area so early in the process was vital.

"I'm delighted that, in shortlisting us for this award, the Scottish Government also sees the value in our open and transparent approach to consultation around an issue which is emotive and sensitive."

The awards ceremony will be held in November.

(JP/CD)