Posted on 6 Feb 2009

The City of Edinburgh Council and PARC are today celebrating national recognition at the LGC & HSJ Sustainable Communities Awards 2009.

The Council, together with PARC (Promoting and Regenerating Craigmillar), was the only Scottish local authority shortlisted. They were up against three English local authorities for the 'Regeneration' award, which was presented at a prestigious ceremony in London last night (February 5).

Their entry was highly commended which recognises the achievements and goals of PARC in breathing new life into Craigmillar, one of Edinburgh's most deprived communities.

Created in 2002 as a joint venture between the Council and the EDI Group (an arms-length company of the Council), PARC is now four years into the delivery of a 15-year £200M business plan which will deliver new homes, two primary schools, a community high school and public library, a 150-acre park, high quality public realm and transport infrastructure, and a refurbished town centre with over 200,000 sq ft of office, retail and leisure space.

Twenty per cent of the new homes will be quality units at affordable rent for everyone who wishes to remain in the area.

Director of Services for Communities from the City of Edinburgh Council, Mark Turley said: "We were really pleased to be nominated for this award especially knowing we were the only Scottish Local Authority shortlisted. I know that a great many people have worked hard to get to where we are and this award recognises that what we are doing will make Craigmillar a thriving community centre that residents can be proud of."

Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, Chair of PARC, said: "This is a tremendous achievement highlighting all the hard work put in by the community, the Council and PARC for the regeneration of Craigmillar. PARC delivers real benefits to Craigmillar and makes a major contribution to the city by providing much-needed affordable homes. We were up against some strong competition for this award and it is excellent to have been highly commended."

John Mark Di Ciacca, Acting Chief Executive of EDI, said: "We are delighted to have been given this highly prestigious commendation. It is a formal recognition of our ambition to create a sustainable community for the future and of the commitment and good work of all partners, in particular the City of Edinburgh Council, involved in the long term regeneration of one of Edinburgh’s most deprived areas.”

A spokesperson for the LGC & HSJ Sustainable Communities Award said: "The level of entries has been exceptional this year, both in terms of quantity and quality. This proves that councils, primary care trusts and their local partners are creating and delivering genuinely sustainable communities.  We would like to offer our congratulate all the shortlisted entries for their outstanding achievements."

The Sustainable Communities Awards 2009, run by the Local Government Chronicle and Health Service Journal in association with DEFRA, took place at The Brewery in London's Barbican, last night, Thursday 5 February 2009.

ENDS

Notes for editors:

1. Craigmillar is a community which lies to the south-east of Edinburgh. It was born out of increased social housing need in the middle of the 20th century and the expansion of industry and mining in that area. Built from the 1920s onwards, it was the city’s oldest peripheral estate, mono-tenural with 4000 council homes, with a population of 25,000 people. However, in recent decades the industries have relocated or been closed, and the population has shrunk to 7,000. It has become an area in need of economic, social and community regeneration as well as physical regeneration.

For further information please contact:

Kelly Murphy, Media and Communications Officer
Tel: 0131 529 7856
Fax: 0131 529 7624
Email: kelly.murphy@edinburgh.gov.uk