Resources: Planning and Designing Your Project

Community Action Plans : An Approach to Place Based Strategic Planning

Community led action planning is a tried and tested way of setting out a vision for a community with an accompanying set of actions to be delivered over time.

The purpose of this document, having reflected on the history of community action planning, is to set out an ideal process that is effective and will achieve impact, but is also affordable and accessible to local people.

PDF icon Community-Action-Planning-a-process-CE-0920.pdf

Feasibility Studies: A Guide to Good Practice

This good practice note is about how to tackle a Feasibility Study and is for the information of both community groups, acting as client, and their consultants.

PDF icon Feasibility Studies: A Guide to Good Practice (RIAS)

Sustainable Development and Environmental Sustainability Guidance

These two documents are useful to dip into for project development.  The Big Lottery: Sustainable Development, although an older publication  gives good information and many case studies from Scotland.  Heritage Lottery: Environmental Sustainability Guidance, although produced for applicants to that fund has a wealth of information on sustainability issues and a

PDF icon Sustainable Development: an introduction (Big Lottery Fund)

The Green Asset Guide

This is  an older publication and  has to be read both in the light of the ever-changing green industry and that it has a UK-wide focus, it is still a really useful guide with logical and comprehensive consideration of  aspects of renewable design.

Produced by the Development Trusts Association

PDF icon The Green Asset Guide

Place Standard Tool

The Place Standard tool provides a simple framework to structure conversations about place. It allows you to think about the physical elements of a place (for example its buildings, spaces, and transport links) as well as the social aspects (for example whether people feel they have a say in decision making).

The tool provides prompts for discussions, allowing you to consider all the elements of a place in a methodical way. The tool pinpoints the assets of a place as well as areas where a place could improve.

Guide for Landowners by the Community Land Advisory Service

The Guide For Landowners (updated 2018) has been produced by the Community Land Advisory Service in Scotland and provides free, comprehensive information and advice to help landowners play their part in the surge in community gardening and food growing across Scotland.

PDF icon SF&G CLAS Landowners Guide 09.18.pdf

Risk Management Template

Risk Management Template and Guidance. 

File Risk Management Template.docx

Successful Planning = Effective Engagement and Delivery

A practical guide to better engagement in planning in Scotland.

PDF icon Speed-2018.pdf

Evidence from Elsewhere: Gathering, analysing and using other people's evidence

Written by the Knowledge Translation Network 'Evidence from Elsewhere: Gathering, analysing and using other people's evidence' guides anyone in the third sector who wants to use secondary evidence to inform, influence and improve policy or practice, or both, through the process of using secondary evidence.

Using other people’s evidence can be useful to fill gaps in your evidence or to help make a case for a new service or project.

 

 

PDF icon evidencefromelsewhere-web.pdf

Example Site Options Appraisal: Lochend & Restalrig

Lochend and Restalrig Community set out to identify sites which would be suitable for the development of a community growing project.

PDF icon Scottish Planning = Effective Engagement and Delivery - Practical Guide to Engagement in Planning.pdf

Project Make or Break Questions

The initial assessment for a project should at a minimum research and answer these Project Make or Break Questions

Microsoft Office document icon project-make-or-break.doc

Property Title Checklist for Community Organisations

It is recommended that those buying any property have the title examined by a qualified legal professional. This document is a non-exhaustive list of some of the things they should look into on your behalf. As the client you should be aware of them, ensure they have been checked over and take into account any implications of the findings.

File Property Title Checklist for Community Organisations

Building/Landscape Design Brief

An outline of what should be included in a design brief.

Microsoft Office document icon Building/Landscape Design Brief

Example Site Options Appraisal: Community Growing Spaces

A sample site options appraisal for the development of community growing spaces

PDF icon Example Site Options Appraisal: Community Growing Spaces (COSS)

Example Site Options Appraisal: PEDAL

A detailed site options appraisal undertaken by PEDAL for a 'Transition Hub' community space.

PDF icon Example Site Options Appraisal: PEDAL

Making Buildings Work for your Community

Informative and readable guide to what to think about when looking at refurbishment for community use.

Produced by the Asset Transfer Unit

PDF icon Making Buildings Work for your Community

Your Buildings, Your Future

A guide to commissioning sustainable architecture for community organisations.

By Matt Bridgestock

PDF icon Your Buildings, Your Future