The RTPI South East Awards for Planning Excellence 2022 has crowned Milton Keynes Council and East Hampshire District Council as joint overall winner for their climate-focused projects.
This year the judging 
panel took the very unusual step to award joint winners of Best in Region to the Whitehill & Bordon Green Loop & Wayfinding Project and the Sustainable Construction SPD. This reflects the diversity of the entries and what the judging panel felt were their stand-out-features.
The Green Loop and Wayfinding Project demonstrates attention to detail on design to incorporate and include a natural environment whilst promoting active travel.
Pennie Brown, Regeneration Manager, EHDC said "East Hampshire District Council and the partnership which includes Hampshire County Council, Urban Place Lab, WBRC and Whitehill Town Council are very proud to win these awards and thank the RTPI for the recognition. The project has been delivered in partnership with passion and dedication, making active travel easier for residents, improving access to the natural environment, and bringing an existing and new community together using green infrastructure that is relevant to the Whitehill & Bordon."
Cllr Phillip Davies, EHDC’s Assistant Portfolio Holder for Whitehill & Bordon, said: “What an incredible success! To win one award was fantastic but to pick up two more is unbelievable! “It’s great to see the team’s hard work being recognised and rewarded, but the most important thing to remember is that we have delivered something special for the people of Whitehill & Bordon, that is highly regarded across the region.
The Sustainable Construction SPD sunbmitted by Milton Keynes incorporates innovative monitoring and implementation approaches investing in the skills of planners and that is already paying dividends in the planning process.
Leader of MK Council, Cllr Pete Marland said “The built environment is a major contributor to climate change and we want Milton Keynes to be an international vanguard for sustainable and considered development. We’re proud to get this recognition which is yet another testament to just how hard colleagues are working to deliver well planned growth and renewal across the city. It is yet another sign of how our planning services have improved and are receiving the highest awards of national and internationally recognised importance.”
Both winning schemes will provide an excellent basis for planning authorities and developers to look to as an example of best practice for similar approaches in their own areas.
Stephen Harness FRTPI, Chair of RTPI South East judging panel, said: “This year the judging panel took the very unusual step to award joint winners of Best in Region to the Whitehill & Bordon Green Loop & Wayfinding Project and the Sustainable Construction SPD. This reflects the diversity of the entries and what the judging panel felt were their stand-out-features.
“The Green Loop and Wayfinding Project demonstrates attention to detail on design to incorporate and include a natural environment whilst promoting active travel. The Sustainable Construction SPD incorporates innovative monitoring and implementation approaches investing in the skills of planners and that is already paying dividends in the planning process.
“Both winning schemes will provide an excellent basis for planning authorities and developers to look to as an example of best practice for similar approaches in their own areas”.