2020 winners

Entered by: Government of Jersey

Other key organisations involved with the project: Fiona Fyfe Associates Ltd

Jersey faces tremendous challenges in the face of global forces of climate change, biodiversity loss and development pressure.  The Jersey Integrated Landscape and Seascape Character Assessment (ILSCA) was commissioned, as part of the evidence base for the new Island Plan, to address these challenges through the promotion of sustainable development.

The ILSCA - which covers all terrestrial, intertidal and marine areas within the Bailiwick of Jersey – analyses, celebrates and informs a rich understanding of how the island’s landscape and seascape character contributes to its unique sense of place which is critical for the planning and management of development and change.

The judges agreed that not only is the Jersey ILSCA a very professional piece of work, it is also innovative and an exemplar in a number of ways. It is the first, and so far the only, example of its kind which covers both land and sea around an island in such a comprehensive manner. A lead has been taken from the best practice guidance issued by Natural England. Whilst undoubtedly landscape led, the role of the planner in shaping the brief for the consultants Fiona Fyfe Associates Ltd, and in ( unusually) engaging with issues of marine resources and other areas of administration, has resulted in a valuable evidence base for the Island Plan Review, as well as a document capable of being applied in the widest sense to managing the development pressures which Jersey faces. This ILSCA is seen as an exemplar, with much that can be applied to other islands and coastal areas in the South West and elsewhere which are seeking to protect their natural environment in the face of diverse development pressures.

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Entered by: Strategic Planning and Infrastructure (SP&I), Plymouth City Council

Other key organisations involved with the project: ADG (Architects), Adult Social Care – Plymouth City Council, Bournemouth Churches Housing Association, Coyde Construction, McLaren Construction Group

Pilgrim Court is an excellent example of innovative partnership working between Planning, Housing and Adult Social Care professionals to meet the needs of residents with learning disabilities. It creates 12 self-contained homes by using Council land assets and gap funding subsidy, providing on-site round the clock support to enable independent living. It will relieve pressure on the Council’s overstretched Adult Social Care budget, by combining services under one roof, creating a replicable delivery model. Additionally we have regenerated a neglected site within a conservation area close to the city centre, by ensuring the development of a high quality building.

The judges said that “this scheme stands out because it exhibits positive environmental, economic and social value outcomes - not outcomes generated by chance, but the result of a close working relationship between the City Council, Bournemouth Churches Housing Association, and the end occupiers of the housing and their families, with professional planners at the heart of it all”.

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Entered by: Bath Preservation Trust

In response to COVID and the closure of BPT’s offices the organisations planning team along with its professional Architecture Planning & Place Committee has adapted to new ways of working remotely to maintain high standard services and range of functions in line with BPT’s charitable objectives to ensure the continued conservation of Bath’s historic environment. BPT has supported local planning processes including; consultation on planning policy and planning applications, planning committee, SPD’s, stakeholder engagement, pre-application and listed building advice, heritage and local heritage expertise. And has been proactive in engaging the public in local planning issues through multiple social media platforms through unprecedented times.

The Judges agreed that this was an impressive response to the COVID lockdown situation by a third sector player with limited resources, which has enabled it to extend its on-line activity in order to maintain its planning advice and advocacy as well as its educational outreach. It was noted that centrally involved in all of this has been a member of the planning profession specialising in heritage, supported by the Trust’s leadership. A benchmark exemplar for other third sector groups in the South West and elsewhere, strongly endorsed by a range of local bodies and with favourable comparisons to the response of more highly resourced equivalent organisations in York and Oxford.

The Chair's Award

An Award chosen by the RTPI South West Regional Chair Dawn de Vries of Sedgemoor District Council which reflects her year as Chair. With this year forcing most of our working practices to change and adapt, this year’s Chairs Award recognises Bath Preservation Trust who has actively responded and embraced this change.

The judges said “Bath Preservations Trust demonstrated adaptability and resilience and enabled a planning service to continue in unprecedented circumstances”

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Entered by: AZ Urban Studio and South Somerset District Council

Other key organisations involved with the project: Stonewood Design (Architects, The Story of Gardening), Mark Thomas Architects (Architects, The Viper)

The Newt in Somerset is a major heritage-led diversification of a traditional country estate, transforming the Grade II* listed Hadspen House and extensive heritage landscape into a major regional visitor attraction.

The Story of Gardening is a museum dedicated to exploring the history of gardening around the world and its impact on people and culture, forming part of the visitor experience at The Newt. A small café serves plant-based dishes taking inspiration from the global journey through gardens within.

The Viper is a tree canopy walkway that brings visitors on a dramatic journey snaking through ancient woodland to the museum.

The Judges agreed that this was an unusual and impressive scheme comprising the two distinctive, but physically linked, components. The partly underground Gardening Museum building and The Viper walkway leading to it, have been successfully integrated into the parkland landscape. Planning professional expertise was involved particularly in the search for a suitable location for the Museum within the estate, whilst the contribution of South Somerset Council involved both planners and the advice of its Landscape Officer. Also recognised was the fact that, in addition to the impressive design of the building and the walkway, this was the outcome of a planning process which extended beyond the normal professional standard, which stood as an example of planning excellence.

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Entered by: Gloucestershire County Council

Other key organisations involved with the project: Land Use Consultants, Planning Officers Society (POS Enterprises), Building with Nature.

Many challenges lie ahead in ensuring steady and adequate supplies of Gloucestershire’s minerals, not least the fact they are a diminishing, finite resource that can only be worked where they are found. It is vitally important therefore that the right plan is in place – that plan is the Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire.  It affords certainty for industry in an ever competitive, turbulent economic environment; will secure amenity protections for host local communities, ensure prized local assets are safeguarded and enhanced; and drive forward the response to the climate change emergency and help to decarbonise the local minerals industry.

The Judges were impressed that this new Plan goes beyond the requirements of the MPPF by addressing climate change, sustainability, Health Impact Assessment , and the need to reduce mineral extraction rates through the maximum use of secondary aggregates. All of these considerations have been carefully balanced against the accepted need for minerals for building. There has been a close working relationship with District development management teams, as well as consultation with a wide range of relevant bodies and local communities. ‘ Building with Nature’ accreditation has also given additional weight to the Plan’s policies. In summary - a minerals plan at the forefront of innovation and good planning practice, with potentially useful lessons for wider application by other bodies across the South West and beyond.

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Entered by: Place Studio

Other organisations involved with the project: Cam Parish Council, Potterton Associates (landscape)

Planning prioritises nationally designated places. Most places we love to call home are not designated. Protecting community place values is equally important to identity and wellbeing. But often they aren’t captured, with pattern book growth watering down distinction and stiffening resentment to new homes and jobs. Cam Design Code (with its Neighbourhood Plan) was produced by Cam’s community, helped by consultants, Place Studio. It is an innovative enabling tool, working with Stroud Local Plan. It defines Cam’s valued connected relationship with landscape and nature, illustrating exactly how development can embed these qualities, helping extend Cam’s special DNA to new residents.

The Judges agreed that this was a very good example of the effective incorporation of design and landscape character issues as key features of a Neighbourhood Plan. The work of Place Studio as consultants has helped residents to better understand the physical character and setting of their village and the specially prepared Design Code has provided major ‘added value’ to the Plan. Taken together, these two pieces of work have given residents a sense of control over both the location and nature of future development and are seen as exemplars of planning work of excellence in a regional context.

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Entered by: Place Studio

Other key organisations involved with the project: Bloor Homes. Their consultants: Barton Wilmore, Nicholas Pearson, Steve Munday, WSP.

The community engagement on this 80+ housing development in a sensitive location, with a strong and articulate local community, ensured a high level of community support that in turn (with the backing of a very thorough report of consultation) led in the end to no serious objections. The approach adopted by the Place Studio team used best practice principles in a wide-ranging programme of activities targeted from ‘day one’ at all sections of the community. Local feedback post completion has been extremely positive.

The Judges agreed that this was a good example of how to undertake effective community engagement, using Place Studio’s now well established model. Beginning with ‘a blank sheet of paper’, the emerging housing and employment scheme by developer Bloor Homes, closely followed the results of ‘text book’ community consultation.

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