The RTPI East of England Awards for Planning Excellence celebrate outstanding planners, plans and projects that demonstrate the power of planning in our regions.
Take a look at the video from the ceremony:
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Entered by: Uttlesford District Council
To assist with preparing a new local plan, the District Council decided to set up a community stakeholder forum to examine and debate issues and so inform the plan making process. This involved the successful engagement with representative interest groups to explore in depth, innovative ideas on creating a sustainable, inclusive and responsive net zero future. The forum allowed members of the public to engage with the debate as all events were advertised, livestreamed and recorded.
Judges’ comment – ‘A novel approach to stakeholder and community involvement in the early stages of plan making. The Council is to be applauded for the high quality debate and wide engagement achieved in this innovative way.
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Entered by: Bidwells
Other key organisations involved with the project: Willmott Dixon Construction Limited
This new school embraced modern methods of construction to meet the existing and future educational needs of over 1000 students. With sustainability at its heart, the development provides a main school building with sports hall, drama studio, games areas, football pitches and athletics track. In addition, the ‘Now or Never’ pod will enable outdoor learning for a net-zero carbon classroom. The school took just 52 weeks to construct.
Judges’ comment – ‘Innovative and sustainable in its concept this building project also showed a clear focus on project management and delivery for the client.’
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Entered by: Bidwells
Other key organisations involved with the project: Essex Housing, Essex County Council.
The redevelopment of the former Moulsham Lodge community centre site has delivered 26 new homes, including 8 specialist dwellings for people with learning disabilities. Through partnership working with the relevant stakeholders, a sensitive redevelopment of this surplus public land has been achieved in a way that provides a better quality of life for the occupants and benefits the local environment.
Judges’ comment – ‘An impressive example of development on a brownfield site to provide much needed specialist housing for the local community.’
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Entered by: Luton Borough Council Planning Department and Barton Willmore
Other key organisations involved with the project: Luton and Dunstable University Hospital Site Redevelopment Projects,
- Barton Willmore LLP (Planning)
- Luton Borough Council (LPA)
- Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Client)
- Murphy Philipps (Architects)
- ADP (Architects)
- Fatkin (Architects)
The partial redevelopment of the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital is a major project which is taking place on a busy operational hospital campus. Granted planning permission in March 2020, the redevelopment includes clinical buildings, travel hub, energy centre, emergency department extension and improved main entrance. Despite complex programmes and the unique challenges of Covid-19, the project is going well with the travel hub complete and the rest of the redevelopment underway.
Judges’ comment – ‘A significant and complex project, nearing completion, showing the benefits of high quality master planning and the importance of consultation and engagement with stakeholders and the local community.’
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Entered by: Bidwells
Other key organisations involved with the project: Bidwells Planning and Urban Design Studio and Scott Brownrigg Architects
This Phase 1 redevelopment of the 1970’s Cambridge Science Park has enabled there to be a comprehensive approach to delivering speculative accommodation to meet demand from the science and technology sector. The layout and design of new buildings in Phase 1 will meet current standards for the Research and Development industry, reducing the impact of the car and making better use of open space on the site.
Judges’ comment – ‘An important refreshment and updating of the original Science Park development, reinforcing the R&D offering of the City and bringing benefits to the local and wider economy.’
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Winner - Bethany Jones, Planning Policy Officer
Colchester Borough Council
Nominated by : Matthew Harmsworth
Beth is an inspiring and highly regarded MRTPI chartered young planner with professional experience across Minerals and Waste, Development and Flood Risk, and Planning Policy. She is a member of the East of England RAC and is both the current chair and founder of the young planner’s committee, having established the committee in 2020 which already has 9 members and has created a number of popular events and webinar series!
The RTPI East of England Awards for Planning Excellence are kindly sponsored by:
We believe the RTPI Regional Awards play a key role in driving quality and ambition by recognising the hard work of professionals in the UK planning environment. We are thrilled to be able to expand our ongoing sponsorship of these awards under our new Tetra Tech brand. (Nick Stafford, Operations Manager, Tetra Tech)