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Tuesday, 03 August 2010 |
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Neil Stephen from Dualchas has recently returned from Orkney where he has been exploring design ideas with the Scottish Government and Orkney Islands Council. The council is currently developing a new design guide, and how the island develops its distinctive character while providing much needed housing, is one of the key elements. Neil said, " I was asked to look at a small village, which had buildings of historical importance, but which would be under pressure to expand in the future. Understanding the existing settlement pattern, the needs of the community, and also the economic realities are all things which have to be considered when masterplanning, and proper analysis means that good decisions can be made at an early stage." The Scottish Governement have a new policy called Designing Streets which encourages planners to consider people before cars, with the creation of beautiful places at the heart of the development. The Orkney design guide is currently under public consultation. |
