East Lothian Council's Local Development Plan (LDP) has been commended at a prestigious planning industry awards ceremony.

The LDP had been shortlisted as a finalist in the category for Excellence in Plan Making Practice at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2019.

The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are the most established and respected awards in the UK planning industry. Running for over 40 years, they celebrate exceptional examples of planning and the contribution planners make to society.

The LDP is the key planning document guiding development across East Lothian to 2024 and beyond and has involved a huge amount of preparation and extensive public engagement and consultation. It was approved by Scottish Ministers in September 2018, after the Report of Examination made only minor recommendations for changes to the work of East Lothian Council's planning team.

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Douglas Proudfoot, Head of Service (Development) said: "Although we were just pipped at the post in winning the award, to be commended in a national award category like this just underlines the scope and quality of the work put in by our planners in developing the LDP. It is a hugely important piece of work and supports our aim of securing an even more prosperous, safe and sustainable East Lothian, that enables all of our people and communities to flourish."

RTPI President Ian Tant MRTPI said: "Many congratulations to all this year's finalists, who demonstrate outstanding contributions to planning, producing a positive effect on our communities, the economy and the environment. They have shown how planners can use their passion and skills to meet needs, deliver high quality design and tackle environmental challenges – they should all be proud of their role as a force for good in society."