​An Award Winning Partnership

A working group, consisting of colleagues from Marine Scotland, Orkney Islands Council and The Highland Council, has received an award in the ‘Partnership’ category of the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning (SAQP).

The award recognised the work of the group, in developing the pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan, and was presented to the team by Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government and Housing, at a ceremony on 8 November.  The marine plan covers the whole of the north coasts of Caithness and Sutherland, as well as the Orkney waters.

The Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning is one of the Government’s most prestigious events. It celebrates achievements in planning, right from the detail of processing through to the bigger picture of creating places which will become the legacy of our professionalism.

When stating the reasons for awarding the project this accolade the judges said they “Welcomed this initiative as it illustrated dedication to the local landscape and the significance of water within the Highlands and Islands”.

The working group is delighted to have won this award for what has been a rewarding and successful venture.

Following the award, Dr Shona Turnbull from the Highland Council said: “Our working group would like to take this opportunity to again thank all the local people for their commitment and input to this innovative project. Their valuable range of expertise and knowledge has been a vital asset during the process of delivering this pilot Plan.  The lessons learned from this project will help support the subsequent statutory marine plans around our coasts.”