Planning Prize for Oriel y Parc
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has clinched one of the UK's most prestigious planning prizes for the St Davids Gateway and Oriel y Parc Gallery Scheme.
The Authority, which runs the gallery, visitor and education centre in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, picked up the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) 2009 UK Award for ‘Rural Areas and the Natural Environment'.
The Authority's Chief Executive, Nic Wheeler, accepted the award on behalf of the Authority during a ceremony at the London Hilton on February 4th.
The opening of Oriel y Parc, by Wales' First Minister Rhodri Morgan just over a year ago, marked the culmination of the Authority's long standing plans for developing this gateway site providing a gallery, visitors' car park and a hub for a sustainable public transport scheme.
Director of Planning and Conservation Ifor Jones explained: "Oriel y Parc not only represents the physical gateway to the city and the St Davids peninsula; it is also a virtual gateway to the understanding and enjoyment of the National Park landscape. After a visit to Oriel y Parc, visitors are inspired to leave their cars in our car park and hop onto a coastal bus to access the peninsula or the rest of the Park.
"Increasingly Oriel y Parc is also a gateway for understanding and responding to the wider challenges of climate change. The building has a BREEAM ‘Excellent' rating for its sustainable design and management and we raise awareness through our interactive displays and programme of family-friendly activities."
Kay Powell, Chair of the Judging Panel for the RTPI 2009 Planning Awards said:
"The judges were incredibly impressed by the level of collaborative working and the high quality of planning, design, construction and management that has been achieved. This has resulted in a development that makes a significant contribution to sustainable development and environmental awareness."
The Authority's Chief Executive Nic Wheeler added: "To have won a top UK national award in the planning sector against some extremely tough competition is a fantastic achievement and a credit to all those involved at Oriel y Parc."
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