The SAQP, now in their twentieth year, are one of the Scottish Government’s most prestigious annual awards and celebrate outstanding achievements across the full spectrum of planning activity in Scotland.

Kevin Stewart, minister for local government, housing and planning, presented the two awards recognising the council working in partnership to deliver excellent results in both Cupar Townscape Heritage Initiative and Fife Opencast Restoration Programme.

Over the past five years, the council has worked with Fife Historic Buildings Trust and local businesses to improve the appearance of buildings and the streetscape in Cupar Conservation Area through the Townscape Heritage Initiative.

At the other end of the planning scale, the council has worked with local groups to secure the restoration of nearly six square kilometres of former mining land across three sites at St Ninians, Muirdean and Blair House.

Congratulating the council’s planning staff on their success, Councillor Altany Craik, convener of economy, tourism, strategic planning & transportation committee, said: “Well done to all involved, it’s a fantastic achievement and the culmination of a lot of hard work. National recognition demonstrates the dedication and professionalism of our planning team.”