Sandown Charrette launched by Chief Planner
At a meeting in Nairn last night, Jim Mackinnon, the Scottish Government’s Chief Planner, launched an exciting week of planning and urban design workshops (charrette) to discuss the future of the Sandown Lands in Nairn.
Mr Mackinnon encouraged people from the town to attend between today (Tuesday 31 January) and Thursday (2 February) at the Court House in Nairn to participate in an interactive workshop with a wide range of architects, planners and other experts. The outcome will be the production of a document which will be used to guide development on the site in the future.
Convener of The Highland Council and Nairn Ward Councillor Sandy Park is sure the event will be a success, he said: “We are delighted that Jim Mackinnon has assisted with the running of this charrette. Sandown has been an important site in the town for many years and this week will allow us the opportunity to totally review what type and layout of development is best for the site. The charrette process is totally interactive and people will be able to see the designs as they develop, so even if they can only spare a few minutes each day I still think it will be very worthwhile to drop into the Court House in Nairn.”
A detailed itinerary for the week is shown below:
1. CHARRETTE DAY 1, Tuesday 31 January 2012: Community Visioning
10.00am – 10.15am INTRODUCTION - Introducing the Charrette process
10.15am – 11.15am SESSION 1: Reviewing Context & Site Assets Reviewing the site and site assets in context
11.15am – 11.30am COFFEE BREAK Discussion
11.30am – 12.30am SESSION 2: Reviewing the Design Challenges. Exploring Sensitivities & Capacity for Design Responses
12.30am – 2.00pm LUNCH BREAK
2.00pm - 3.00pm SESSION 3: Key Considerations for Site Planning Land-Use Planning and Site Analysis & Zoning
3.00pm – 3.15pm COFFEE BREAK Discussion
3.15pm – 4.15pm SESSION 4: Developing the Vision. Defining a Shared Vision & Exploring Design Principles
Around 4.30pm REVIEW & SUMMARY- Reviewing the outcomes & looking forward
5pm-6pm Design Surgery. One to one meet the consultants
2. CHARRETTE DAY 2, Wednesday 1 February 2012: Designing Sustainable Communities
10.00am – 10.15am INTRODUCTION Summary of Day 1 & Key issues for Day 2
10.15am – 11.15am SESSION 5: Community Infrastructure
Meeting the Needs of Communities/ Connecting communities (Local Facilities /Education/Allotments)
11.15am – 11.30am COFFEE BREAK / Discussion
11.30am – 12.30am SESSION 6: Urban Form & Creating the Structure Developing ideas around urban form and structure. Corridors of movement /transport /gateways/ etc.
12.30am – 2.00pm LUNCH BREAK
2.00pm - 3.00pm SESSION 7: Design Quality & Placemaking. Exploring quality of place, urban design, design of streets greenspace provision, environmental safeguards, etc.
3.00pm – 3.15pm COFFEE BREAK Discussion
3.15pm – 4.15pm SESSION 8: Conceptual Plan / Masterplanning. Creating a broad ‘ideas plan and layout’ & exploring any appropriate options & feasibility
Around 4.30pm REVIEW & SUMMARY - Reviewing the outcomes & looking forward
5pm-6pm Design Surgery - One to one meet the consultants
3. CHARRETTE DAY 3, Thursday 2 February 2012: Emerging Design Brief
10.00am – 10.15am INTRODUCTION. Summary of Day 2 & Key issues for Day3
10.15am – 11.15am Session 9: Reviewing the Conceptual Plan(s). Exploring thoughts and ideas on the Concept (s) and seeking agreement on a single concept/layout.
11.15am – 11.30am COFFEE BREAK / Discussion
11.30am – 12.30am SESSION 10: Developing the Concept. Developing the Concept & adding detail and defining quality elements.
12.30am – 2.00pm LUNCH BREAK
2.00pm - 3.00pm SESSION 11: Promoting Sustainable Choices & Living. Reviewing opportunity to enhance adaptability, add new thinking and provide support for sustainable lifestyles
3.00pm – 3.15pm COFFEE BREAK/ Discussion
3.15pm – 4.15pm SESSION 12: Outcomes to inform Design Brief. Reviewing Design Outcomes and noting any qualifications / further studies and information needs.
Around 4.30pm REVIEW & SUMMARY- Drawing together the outputs and design thoughts. Final Reporting. Conclusion & advising on Next Steps & Way Forward