The 964-hectare Dargavel Village to the south west of Bishopton has been subject to major regeneration with 4,000 new homes, plus retail, education, health and recreational facilities, and a ‘Green Network’ of parks, paths, woodland and habitat pockets.

Submitted by Renfrewshire Council, the development of the site of a former BAE Systems Royal Ordnance factory won in the Planning for Homes (Large Schemes) category.

The judges said: “We felt Dargavel Village was a great example of a large development scheme that brought previously inaccessible land back into use, creating a self-sustaining community. In particular, we noted the inclusion of multiple community facilities including green corridors and woodland areas.”

The RTPI’s annual Awards for Planning Excellence are the most established and respected awards ceremony in the UK planning industry.

Cuningar Loop Urban Woodland Park, submitted by South Lanarkshire Council, won in the Health and Wellbeing category, while the Stirling Enhanced Landscape Mitigation Project, submitted by Ironside Farrar Ltd and Scottish Power Energy Networks, won in the Planning for the Natural Environment category.

Working with Clyde Gateway and Forestry Commission Scotland, South Lanarkshire Council have transformed Cuningar Loop from a derelict wasteland with a history of quarrying, illegal mining and landfill to a 15-hectare urban woodland park connecting the communities of Rutherglen, Dalmarnock and Parkhead in South Lanarkshire and Glasgow’s East End.

The project, which forms part of the 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy, has resulted in the development of a safe and inspiring public space along the River Clyde which has helped to improve public health and wellbeing in an area where life expectancy is seven years below the UK average.

The judges described the project as “transformational” with an “impressively inclusive approach with all stakeholders”.

They said: “The project benefits the local community and is a driving force for delivering economic and social benefits to the area as a tourist destination. Cuningar Loop is not only an exciting project with a transferable approach, but it’s inspirational too.”

Scottish Power Energy Networks and partners were tasked by the Scottish Government with mitigating the effects on the natural environment of the Beauly to Denny power line which carries electricity from windfarms and other renewable energy schemes in the north to consumers in the south.

Local communities were invited to shape and frame their priorities for local projects, determine spend and engage directly in the design and delivery, resulting in a ‘devolved’ planning delivery process.

The judges said: “We felt that this was an impressive landscape mitigation project involving innovative community engagement and impressive collective working. The planners went above and beyond, working directly with communities, building capacity and supporting local decision making around place and needs.”