Delighted park planners feel the Ripple effect
Handling the creation of a lochside respite centre for families of young cancer patients has attracted plaudits for national park planners.
Ripple Retreat, on the banks of Loch Venachar, won two gongs for the officials at the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning.
They picked up accolades in people’s choice and‘place’category.
Ripple Retreat is a place for families of young cancer patients in Scotland enjoy respite from the everyday realities of living with the disease and is run by the charity It’s Good 2 Give.
During the planning process, the park’s planning authority worked with the charity highlighting the need for a sensitive design as the site is in an area where development is only supported in exceptional circumstances.
The final, finished building includes a ‘ripple’roof which was inspired by the waterside setting, the ripples in the loch and the way they sparkle as they catch the sun.
Co-founder, chair and director of fundraising of It’s Good 2 Give, Lynne McNicoll, said:“When we were gifted the land for our Ripple Retreat and were apprehensive about applying for planning consent. We needn’t have been though as the team at the park were helpful, supportive and we really enjoyed working with them on the retreat plans.
Officers responsible for the park’s rural development frameworks also collected an award. The frameworks cover areas of East and West Loch Lomond and are aimed at allowing communities to influence and deliver actions that improve their quality of life and place.
Director of rural development and planning Stuart Mearns said:“Our positive working relationship with Its Good 2 Give demonstrates the benefits of early engagement with the applicants in the planning process and maintaining that engagement after the decision is made to support such a high quality in the development.”
KeltieWater Hydro Scheme, within Drummond Estate, north of Callander, was also shortlisted in the partnership category .