Planners must start working to restore public trust in the planning system in the wake of the Flood tribunal's revelations of corruption, according to the president of the Irish Planning Institute.
At the presentation of the institute's National Planning Awards, by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, Ms Rachel Kenny said it was "unfortunate" that the tribunal's interim report may be many people's first exposure to the world of planning.
"Planning is an essential component of ensuring quality in the built and natural environment in Ireland and I am anxious to ensure that the benefits are not lost in such a negative atmosphere," Ms Kenny said.
There were "numerous examples" of good planning and development in Ireland, which she said was "no mean feat" given staff shortages in local authorities and unprecedented economic growth in recent years. The National Spatial Strategy, now likely to be published next week, would be another milestone in "good planning" because it would attempt to provide a more strategic framework for development.
The Planning Achievement Award, sponsored by Boots chemists, was presented to Cork County Council for its "ground-breaking" use of an interactive CD to give easy access to its draft county development plan.
"The project will make a significant contribution to the delivery of a progressive planning service in Co Cork and has drawn an overwhelming positive response from the public," the judges said.
A certificate of merit was awarded to Limerick County Council for Planmap, a computerised planning applications information system which gives public access to data on every application.
Another certificate of merit went to architects Murray O'Laoire for Carlow 800, a civic vision and master plan for Carlow Town, which is about to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the granting of its charter. Murray O'Laoire also won an Urban Design Award certificate of merit for the Carlow 800 plan, which the judges noted had been developed following an extensive exercise in public consultation.
Wexford Borough Council won the Urban Design Award won for its "significant and exemplary" re- making of the quayfront as a broad, multi-functional civic amenity space. The judges said this ambitious development "significantly enhanced the accessibility, spatial legibility and enjoyment potential of the town centre and its harbour".
Kildare County Council won the Planning in Conservation Award, sponsored by the Heritage Council, for "Prosperous: Realising a Vision" which was seen as an excellent community-led regeneration project.