Welsh Schemes Top Rural Category at the RTPI Awards 2009

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's St David's Gateway and Oriel y Parc scheme won the RTPI Award for Rural Areas and the Natural Environment. In the same category, Ceredigion County Council's Ceredigion Coast Path was Commended by the Judges.

For details of all the winners and to read what the judges said about the Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion projects click here. 

Winner of the Wales Planning Award 2009 is St David's Gateway: St David’s Gallery and Oriel y Parc

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority

Oriel Y Parc is the main focal point for visitors entering St David's. It provides a car park encouraging visitors to explore the area by bus or by foot. The centre houses galleries, educational facilities, Visitor Centre and café and has achieved BREEAM Excellent.

The Wales Planning Award 2009 has been awarded to the scheme because in the opinion of the judges this Project provides a model of good practice for the management of large numbers of tourists in environmentally sensitive areas.

Cardiff Conservation Area Appraisal Programme - Commended

Cardiff County Council

The judges feel that recognition should be given to the comprehensive way that Cardiff Council’s planners have tackled this work, the way they have involved local communities and the fact that the appraisals now provide an agreed framework for Council’s activities in conservation areas.

The Wales Planning Award 2009 was sponsored by DPP.

Study to Examine the Planning Application Process in Wales

The Welsh Assembly Government is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the planning application system in Wales. It has appointed GVA Grimley to conduct an important research study that will inform the review and GVA will soon be publishing a report which will include a series of recommendations for the reform of the planning application process.

The draft report will be available to download from GVA's web site from 8 March. Publication of the report will be followed by a four week consultation period and details of how to submit comments will also appear on the web site. The consultation period will close on Thursday 8 April.  

Alongside the public consultation period GVA Grimley will be holding two dissemination events in north (12 March) and south Wales (11 March). If you would like to attend either event, please contact GVA Grimley directly to book a place.

Click here to access papers relating to the meetings and the study on the Welsh Assembly Government's web site.

Planning to Live with Climate Change

The RTPI launched its Seven Commitments for planning to live with climate change in June. RTPI Cymru is currently working on its own action plan to support the overall work of the RTPI in meeting these Commitments. Further details will be available soon from this website. To view the Seven Commitments click here neu clichwch yma i ddarllen ein saith ymrwymiad  o ran newid yn yr hinsawdd yn Gymraeg.

To see the RTPI's Action Plan click here.