Best Plan - Winner
Civic Quarter Area Action Plan, submitted by Trafford Council
Trafford’s Civic Quarter Area Action Plan delivers a new 4000 home sustainable neighbourhood through ambitious policies for net zero, public realm, greenspace and housing quality. Developed with partners and the community to take advantage of a unique set of assets and new development opportunities and challenges, the CQAAP is a Development Management led plan. It is a vehicle for transformational change and regeneration, bringing forward new high density development and associated infrastructure through an innovative equalisation strategy. Plan production has given opportunities for planners to learn new skills and broaden their experience whilst directing Council resources wisely.
Judges' comments: The AAP stands as a testament to innovative and collaborative plan-making practice, balancing growth, sustainability, and community needs. It seeks to sustainably address the challenges faced within this fragmented area and has evolved through the Council’s efforts to collaborate with all stakeholders and ensure that its aims fully maximise the neighbourhood's opportunities. The judges considered that the AAP is also a good example of the use of policy to follow zero carbon plans, promote sustainable travel, and incorporate sustainable design, ensuring that climate resilience is integral to new development.
Best Plan - Commended
Lake District Design Code SPD, submitted by Lake District National Park Authority
Lake District Design Code Supplementary Planning Document showcases how an area-wide design code can promote development that complements the Park’s unique character and historic environment.
Judges' comments: The Judges felt that the Design Code was an excellent example of a creative approach that will influence design and decision making within the Lake District National Park
Best Project Winner (Natural Environment) and BEST IN REGION
West Cumbria Pipeline, submitted by Lake District National Park Authority / United Utilities
A multi-disciplinary, multi-agency, cross boundary infrastructure project to supply water to 80,000 homes and businesses in West Cumbria, delivered with a planning performance agreement at its heart, which brought together the applicant (United Utilities), three local planning authorities (Lake District National Park Authority, Allerdale Borough Council and Copeland Borough Council) and a wide range of expert advisers including Natural England, the Environment Agency and highways and lead local flood authority teams at Cumbria County Council. As well as being an exemplar of planning delivery the project had multiple direct and indirect benefits for the natural environment and water resource management.
Judges' comments: The planning, implementation, and delivery of the West Cumbria Pipeline, by the Lake District NPA and United Utilities was unanimously agreed by the judges to be a complex, challenging, and exceptional exemplar of a planning led infrastructure development scheme for the Northwest region. The panel were inspired by the chosen approach, with an experienced planning practitioner, taking a central role at the “heart of the process”, duly ensuring that any barriers and challenges, were identified, appraised, and resolved at an early stage, when combined with effective leadership and a robust strategic vision, facilitated three major planning applications being approved, in a timely and proficient manner.
Successful Economy Winner
Winner - Stockport Interchange, submitted by Stockport Council / Transport for Greater Manchester
Transformational regeneration at its best, new homes, a transport interchange, a town centre park and improved connectivity and accessibility in the heart of Stockport town centre.
Judges' comments: It provides an exemplar setting a suitably high bar for the type and quality of development that the council and its partners want to see in this part of Stockport Town Centre. The team should be very proud of their achievements.
Successful Economy Commended
Building Foundations, submitted by Preston City Council
Building Foundations involves liaison between Preston City Council, Calico Enterprise Ltd and developers to monitor the delivery of social value targets from major development.
Judges' comments: The judges felt that the Building Foundations project was certainly exemplar in terms of its aspirations, coordination and the initial outcomes presented to the panel. The commitment of Preston in seeking to directly address a local skills shortage and seek a higher graduate retention rate is impressive.
Heritage & Culture Winner
Aviva Studios, submitted by Deloitte LLP
Aviva Studios, the home of Factory International, is a landmark new cultural space for Manchester and the world. Deloitte has led the planning process throughout.
Judges' comments: Public realm has been a key player in developing this area, and has focussed on creating a social space, whilst creating a crucial link, aiding permeability and connectivity between Manchester and Salford over the River Irwell.
Planning for Communities Winner
Cottam Hall, submitted by Homes England
Cottam Hall is a true testament to Homes England’s ability to create thriving, high quality communities through achieving a long-term vision, with collaboration and commitment.
Judges' comments: The judges were impressed with Homes England’s vision for Cottam Hall and their commitment to quality placemaking and sustainable development. From the outset Homes England set the tone through master planning, key development parameters, and a clear bidding process with value being placed on the integration of high quality residential development with open space and nature.
Planning for Communities Commended
Redevelopment of the former Newton Community Hospital, submitted by Stantec
Redevelopment of Former Newton Community Hospital to provide 39 new affordable houses included the conversion of non-designated heritage asset within the Green Belt.
Judges' comments: The judges were impressed with the overall ambition of the project, notably with regards to Green Belt, tree and heritage constraints, balanced against viability considerations
Young Planner of the Year Winner
Ian Pennington
As Active Travel Lead in WSP’s Infrastructure Planning team and Chair of RTPI North West’s Young Planners, Ian motivates and inspires peers through professional and voluntary roles.
Ian strives for social, environmental, and economic progress through his work, evidenced by Heckmondwike Bus Station, for which he coordinated a multidisciplinary team to maximise benefits on a constrained site. Other notable projects include a DCO scheme, and planning applications for a walking, wheeling and cycling bridge, and a proposed greenways network.
Ian’s time spent volunteering is an asset to the profession, delivering a range of innovative CPD and networking events for peers.
Judges' comments: The judges considered that Ian’s personality and enthusiasm really shone through in his submission. Ian shows clear evidence of genuine commitment to continuing professional development and improving outcomes for planners, and his involvement with the RTPI, Young Planners, outreach work and voluntary activity is above and beyond the usual. Ian provides an excellent example of contributing to planning practice in the challenging area of infrastructure, demonstrating a solid understanding and experience of a range of planning policy areas. The judges considered that through both his professional and voluntary work Ian is an inspiration to the next generation of planners.
Young Planner of the Year Commended
Imogen Zulver, Lichfields
Imogen is an enthusiastic and compassionate planner with a superb understanding of the planning system and an impressive portfolio of high profile and complex schemes.
Judges' comments: The judges were impressed by Imogen’s active career progression, involvement in Lichfield’s Expert Groups and active involvement in a range a complex project including EIA developments which in turn demonstrates a clear understanding of planning policy and the planning system within which she works.
Young Planner of the Year Commended
Kieran Blaydes, Vistry Group
Kieran is a Land & Planning Manager at Vistry Group who Chaired the North West RTPI in 2022 and established the LPA Engage Initiative.
Judges' comments: Through his presentation and submission Kieran demonstrated his strong commitment to continuing professional development and involvement with the RTPI.
Small Consultancy of the Year Winner
Euan Kellie Property Solutions
Euan Kellie Property Solutions has a reputation for delivering commercially-savvy outcomes across Greater Manchester. The team thinks laterally to solve complex planning problems and deliver meaningful projects.
They are passionate and driven, relish challenging briefs and always look for solutions that ease tensions. The dynamic and friendly team is well known and well respected, and clients attest to their responsive service.
With more than 100 Greater Manchester projects under their belt, they are the trusted advisors for clients including Salboy, Domis, THG, Property Alliance Group, One Heritage and Step Places, helping them to unlock planning and deliver positive change.
Judges' comments: The team’s passion for good planning shone through in its submission, with the senior team hands on in project work, helping to build mutual respect and trust through successful partnership working and solid outcomes. A commitment to staff development and business improvement lays the foundation for the consultancy moving successfully forward in its planning work over coming years. There is a culture of partnership working and problem solving, underpinned by a sound knowledge of the planning process and understanding of the commercial realities of delivery, as well as good project management skills enabling the expert advice of other professionals to be integrated into the negotiation process.
Small Consultancy of the Year Commended
Made it Together
MIT collaborates with clients, designers and communities to plan better places that work for everyone.
They do planning; but appreciate the bigger picture too.
Judges' comments: Made it Together is a relatively new and proactive small planning consultancy practice, with an interesting approach to a range of projects. They have chosen to change the way that planning consultancy is done, bringing passion, empathy and clarity back to planning, with a focus on the people that planning impacts.
Planning Authority of the Year Winner
Lake District National Park Authority
The Lake District National Park Authority's high performing team planning team, driven by the vision “an inspirational example of sustainable development in action” work to balance the conservation of the park's natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage with the needs of the local communities. The small, close-knit team’s achievements include creating an award-winning Local Plan which has provided a policy framework to make high quality, timely decisions on 2,000 pieces of planning casework each year. New recruitment pathways, flexible working practices, creating career progression opportunities, and a monthly in-house training programme are fostering a more inclusive and diverse team.
Judges' comments: The Judges recognise the challenges previously faced by the Authority. The submission highlights the steps and techniques implemented by the Authority to resolve these issues as well as the Authority’s resilience and dedication to significantly improving performance metrics. Given its vital role in managing planning functions within the Lake District National Park and the English Lake District World Heritage Site the team excels in leadership across a wide variety of projects. The Authority’s innovative approaches, professional pride, delivery of planning-outcomes, commitment to professional development and inclusivity make them deserving winners.
Planning Authority of the Year Commended
Warrington Council
Warrington Council is ambitious in providing a place that works for all, supporting Warrington’s long term growth with the right homes, jobs and infrastructure.
Judges' comments: The judges were pleased to review the entry submitted by the team at Warrington. It is acknowledged that the longstanding absence of an adopted Local Plan, coupled with more general challenges affecting Local Planning Authorities (LPAs), most likely resulted in a greater challenge delivering planning functions.