Dargavel Village regeneration programme wins planning award
Dargavel Village, the regeneration programme being delivered by BAE Systems in collaboration with Renfrewshire Council on the site of the former Bishopton Royal Ordnance Factory, near Glasgow, has received the Excellence in Planning for Homes Large Schemes award at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2019.
Above:
Aerial view of Dargavel Village, Bishopton.
Courtesy BAE Systems
The award was presented to BAE Systems and Renfrewshire Council at the annual ceremony held in London on Wednesday 24 April 2019.
Dargavel Village is one of the UK’s largest brownfield schemes and is a key strategic objective for the Glasgow City region. The programme was nominated for the award by Renfrewshire Council and recognises the positive economic and environmental impact of the development on Renfrewshire and its surrounding area.
Jon Gettinby, Bishopton Programme Manager, BAE Systems Shared Services said: “We’re proud that Dargavel Village has received this award. The development is a huge programme, transforming brownfield land into a vibrant community supported by new and enhanced infrastructure; improved travel links; retail, leisure and community facilities, and surrounded by a public accessible woodland area.”
The programme to redevelop the site started in 2012 and, when complete in 2034, will see the creation of 4,000 new homes, as well as greatly improved infrastructure to support the wider development, a primary school and community centre, a new motorway junction, additional park and ride facilities at the adjacent railway station, a health centre, retail, amenity and leisure facilities and Dargavel Country Park – a 1,300 acre open woodland area surrounding the village.
The development is becoming established as an aspirational place to live and since the first resident took occupation in 2013 there have been a further 1,250 houses constructed and occupied.
Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council's Communities, Housing and Planning Board, said: "I am delighted Dargavel Village has won such a prestigious planning award.
"We are working closely with BAE Systems to deliver the regeneration of the former ROF Bishopton site, turning it into an asset that benefits Bishopton and wider Renfrewshire. It's fantastic this work has been recognised at a national level."
The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence recognise the teams, projects and individuals that transform economies, environments and their communities all over the UK and internationally and have taken place for over 40 years.