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The
regeneration of the Cross at Beith has
won 4 national awards.
The town centre of Beith had been transformed through
a great example of everyone working in partnership - with local people in
the lead.
Local MSP and Enterprise
Minister Allan Wilson brought the highly-successful Beith Townscape Heritage
Initiative to a formal close by unveiling a plaque which recognises the
various funders of the project and its four national awards.
Paying tribute to the partner organisations and individuals involved Mr
Wilson said that the town centre
of Beith had been transformed through a great example of everyone working in
partnership - with local people in the lead.
“The success of this project has been down to the commitment and
determination of the local partners to see it to fruition. In particular the
lead role of North Ayrshire Council and Cunninghame Housing Association has
meant that the restoration work has been to the highest quality.
“The involvement of Scottish Enterprise and local businesses has also meant
that the requirements of local traders and their customers have been to the
forefront of the town centre’s regeneration.
“Preserving Beith’s built heritage for future generations and restoring the
commercial heart of the town in a single development was not an easy task
but the contribution of the Heritage Lottery Fund and St Vincent Crescent
Preservation Trust ensured the necessary financial support and professional
expertise was available to marry the two.
“Scottish Executive support through Historic Scotland has also proven to be
vital in renovating eighteenth century listed buildings and protecting
Beith’s historic townscape for future generations to enjoy.
“Many people have through their personal commitment and dedication made a
valuable contribution to this success, none more so than the late Beith
Councillor, Bobby Reilly who together with Beith Community Council and the
wider community of Beith worked tirelessly to make their vision a reality.”
“The second phase of the restoration work at Reform/Main Streets and
Bellman’s Close is nearing completion and when finished will add
considerably to the physical attractiveness and improved environment of
Beith.
“Historic Scotland has recently established a new Town Centre Environmental
Grants scheme which I hope will enable future redevelopment to take place in
partnership with North Ayrshire Council and Cunninghame Housing Association
to further enhance Beith and other town centres in this area to the same
award winning standard as this development” concluded Mr Wilson
Former Cunninghame North MP, Brian Wilson, said: "It was very nice to be
asked back to witness the end result of what has been a long and painstaking
process. I well remember the first discussions I was involved in with Beith
Community Council in the mid-90s and the many obstacles that were
successfully overcome in putting the package together.
"It is a great achievement and everything Allan said about working in
partnership is fully justified.
That is the only way to make major projects happen and the Beith model is a
good one for anyone else to follow".
Notes:
The regeneration of the Cross at Beith has won the following national
awards:
British Urban Regeneration Association Award 2005 for Best Practice in
Regeneration (one of five UK awards and the only Scottish winner)
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Scotland Regeneration Award 2005
(Best Project in Scotland)
Scottish Enterprise Dynamic Place Award 2004
Scottish Executive/ Royal Town Planning Institute Scottish awards for
Quality in Planning 2004:
Commendation for Outstanding Performance and Quality in Development on the
Ground
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