Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, winners of the Planning Excellence Awards and of the Silver Jubilee Cup were revealed this year on the Royal Town Planning Institute’s (RTPI) YouTube channel
Innovative housing schemes, a town centre regeneration and a country estate in Somerset were among the winners at this year’s RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence.
RTPI president, Sue Manns, said: “The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is challenging us all to think about what is important in our lives and the lives of those around us, the local places and spaces around us, the way that we work, use our homes and communicate with others.
“This year’s winners shine a spotlight on the very best practice in delivering future places and spaces that work for everyone. They provide us with inspiration and confidence in the future of our profession.”
Sadie Morgan, design industry leader and chair of the judging panel, said: “The coronavirus outbreak has caused a massive reset – an enforced shutdown that will affect our livelihoods, our relationships and our wellbeing for years to come. Yet as we look at the shortlist and this year’s overall winner, it is clear that the values embedded in these projects will set the example for the changing world that we now inhabit.
“Planners had a critical role in the success of all the winning projects, and we must not forget the importance of collaboration and of allowing innovation and ingenuity to thrive – these will be essential in the months and years ahead.”
Sarah Elliott MRTPI, Buildings + Places Town Planning Lead at headline sponsor AECOM, said: “This year’s RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence act as a reminder that planning is crucial to delivering the kind of places we need today and in the future.
“Despite the ongoing lockdown, we’re pleased that we’ve been able to continue our sponsorship of the ceremony, and hope that our involvement will allow these worthy winners and finalists to reap the benefits of their industry accolades.”
RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2020 winners:
Silver Jubilee Cup (awarded to project judged best overall)
- Winner – Marmalade Lane, TOWN & Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service
Excellence in Plan Making Practice
- Winner – Wind Microclimatic Guidelines, City of London
- Commended – Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing growth and sharing the benefits, London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Excellence in Planning for a Successful Economy
- Winner – Wokingham Town Centre Regeneration, Wokingham Borough Council
- Commended – Calton Barras Project, Glasgow City Council
Excellence in Planning for Health and Wellbeing
- Winner – Marmalade Lane, TOWN & Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service
- Commended – Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre, Arup and BS Stanford Ltd
Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture
- Winner – The Newt in Somerset, AZ Urban Studio & South Somerset District Council
Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment
- Winner – South Humber Gateway Mitigation Strategy, North East Lincolnshire Council/Engie
Excellence in Planning to Deliver Homes – small schemes (up to 50 homes)
- Winner – Marmalade Lane, TOWN & Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service
Excellence in Planning to Deliver Homes – large schemes (50 or more homes)
- Winner – New Lubbesthorpe, Blaby District Council
Excellence in Tech Within Planning Practice
- Winner – Affordable Homes Monitoring, Southwark Council
International Award for Planning Excellence
- Winner – Hills at Charlesworth Sustainability Plaza (Canada), Stantec Consulting Ltd
- Commended – Slender West Lake Region Masterplan (China), Shanghai Tongji Urban Planning & Design Institute
In-house Planning Team of the Year
- Winner – Anglian Water Services Limited
- Commended – Planning Aid Wales
Local Authority Planning Team of the Year
- Winner – London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council (London)
- Commended – apT, Telford & Wrekin Council (West Midlands)
Small Planning Consultancy of the Year
- Winner – Atriarc Planning (Wales)
- Commended – Kevin Murray Associates (Scotland)
Planning Consultancy of the Year
- Winner – Nexus Planning Limited (South East)
- Commended – Edgars (South East)
Young Planner of the Year
- Winner – Robyn Skerratt (London)
