THE Kelso town centre regeneration project has delivered a top planning award for Scottish Borders Council.

 The overall project, which included the Kelso Townscape Heritage Initiative, traffic management and public realm enhancements, the erection of a gap site building, shop front enhancement scheme and public art installation, was awarded the ‘Development on the Ground Award’ at the Scottish Government’s Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. 

 Councillor Ron Smith, SBC’s Executive Member for Planning and Environment, said: “This programme of work was three years in the planning and took five years to deliver. It was very much a partnership project with the local community and brought various teams together from across the Council, town and partners, and the successful co-ordination brought great results.

 “This project also had unstinting support from the local members and I am delighted for all involved that it has received this prestigious award.”

 The project was delivered in partnership with external funders, including the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland, and the local community who were actively involved from the very beginning of the project.

 It was stated that the judges considered the project to be “an impressive commitment from both planning and transport to resolve modern day activity within an historic place.” They added: “The judges felt that credit must be given to how the local authority involved local businesses to ensure confidence, trust, buy-in and a genuine understanding of ‘place’.”

 The judges concluded: “Overall, through gradually addressing different demands on the market square, and re-engineering how traffic is handled, the outcome has been a restoration of civic pride and confidence in the town. All in all, the town is moving onwards and upwards and is a credit to everyone who was involved.”

 The total investment in the programme of works totalled £4.8m, including £1.6m from SBC, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland, European funds and also monies from Sainsbury’s and property owners.

 The award was presented by Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights to Councillor Simon Mountford, representing the three Kelso and District ward members, Mark Douglas, Principal Officer, Built Heritage and Design and David Johnston, Design Team Leader - Engineering.

Picture 1:

Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning

SBC Convener Councillor Graham Garvie, right, made a presentation to Mark Douglas, Principal Officer, Built Heritage and Design (centre) and David Johnston, Design Team Leader - Engineering, at a meeting of the full council.

Picture 2:

L-R, Councillor Simon Mountford, representing the Kelso and District Ward members, Mark Douglas, Principal Officer, Built Heritage and Design, Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights, and David Johnston, Design Team Leader - Engineering.