RECOGNISING OUTSTANDING WORK IN PLANNING AND PLACEMAKING.
THE PLANNING AWARDS ARE BACK.
RECOGNISING OUTSTANDING WORK IN PLANNING AND PLACEMAKING.
THE PLANNING AWARDS ARE BACK.
In it's twelfth year, The Planning Awards 2025 are here to highlight exceptional contributions across various planning and placemaking sectors, acknowledging excellence in disciplines such as:
CONSERVATION | URBAN DESIGN | INFRASTRUCTURE | PARTNERSHIPS | REGENERATION | HOUSING | LAW
KEY DATES
Early bird deadline - 12 December 2024
Entry deadline - 30 January 2025
PRICING
SAVE £100 WITH THE EARLY BIRD PRICE
Price per entry - £495 £395 +VAT
2025 CATEGORIES
These categories reward excellence specifically in professional planning activity.
This award will go to the team or project that can most clearly demonstrate how its professional planning work has helped to increase delivery or likely delivery of planned-for homes that have improved or are likely to improve the physical or environmental quality of a place or the economic or social wellbeing of a community. Among the kinds of work that judges will be looking for will be: approaches to seeking or granting of site allocation that maximise the chances of planned-for, good quality new homes being promptly delivered; approaches to seeking or granting of planning permission that maximise the chances of planned-for, good quality new homes being promptly delivered; planning work that seeks to help new or smaller players in housing provision (such as small building firms, purpose-built private rented sector developers, local authorities and others) to contribute more to housing delivery; planning work that seeks to help the use of new construction techniques that enable faster delivery (such as modular construction) and planning work that seeks to de-risk delivery for providers through land assembly and other measures. Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
This award will go to the team or project that can most clearly demonstrate how its professional planning work has helped to increase provision for below market cost housing that has improved or is likely to improve the physical or environmental quality of a place or the economic or social well-being of a community. Such housing could include: social rented housing, affordable rented housing, discounted market housing and intermediate housing for sale or rent. Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
This award will go to the team,plan or project that the judges feel most clearly demonstrates how professional planning work has been used to improve or protect the natural environment, or create the likelihood of it being improved or protected.
This award will go to the team, plan or project that the judges believe is the most outstanding example of how digital technology has been used by professional planners to improve the functioning of the planning system or maintain its effectiveness in challenging circumstances.
This award will go to the law firm that can most clearly demonstrate how one or more elements of its planning legal work has/have enabled clients to have a positive impact - or a likely positive impact – on the physical or environmental quality of a place or places and/or the economic or social well-being of a community or communities. Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
This award will go to a consultancy that can most clearly demonstrate how one or more elements of its planning work has/have helped clients to have a positive impact - or a likely positive impact – on the physical or environmental quality of a place or places and/or the economic or social well-being of a community or communities. Where an entry comprises work on a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission for the entry to be eligible for an award.
This award will go to the entry that best demonstrates how a masterplan, neighbourhood plan, local development plan or sub-regional plan has had, or is likely to have, a positive impact on the physical or environmental quality of a place or the economic or social well-being of its community. For the purposes of this award, we define masterplans as plans for an area of development or regeneration which could be, but need not necessarily be, part of a development plan document.
The award will go to the professional planning team (or individual planning professional) that can most clearly demonstrate how their excellence in infrastructure planning (such as planning for transport, waste, energy, water, education or health) has led or is likely to lead to improvements in the physical or environmental quality of a place or places and/or the economic or social wellbeing of a community or communities. (Entry to this category is restricted to professional planners – entrants who wish to seek recognition for outstanding legal work on infrastructure planning are encouraged to enter the law firm of the year award). Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission/ Development Consent Order to be eligible for an award.
This award will go to the local planning authority team that most clearly demonstrates outstanding service to the local community. This could be through demonstrating the positive impact that one or more aspects of its work has had on the physical or environmental quality of a place or places and/or the economic or social wellbeing of a community or communities, or the likelihood of such impact in the future. Entries could come from teams responsible for plan-making, development management or enforcement, or a combination of these.
This award will go to the applicant who has received a full or outline permission that the judges consider to be most likely to have the most significant positive impact on the physical or environmental quality of a place or places and/or the economic or social well-being of a community or communities. The judges will be looking in particular for objective evidence, whether from the local planning authority or other independent source, of the likely positive and significant impact of the permission. Please note that the permission must have been granted during the eligibility period (see above) that applies to all the Planning Awards categories.
This award will go to the entry that best shows how stakeholders (such as elected members, statutory consultees, interest groups, community groups, property owners and/ or the general public) have been engaged in plan preparation, or preparation, consideration or determination of a planning application.
This award will go to the team or individual that can most clearly demonstrate how one of more aspects of their professional planning work has helped, or is likely to help, to address climate change. Among the outcomes, or likely outcomes, that judges will be looking for include: reducing greenhouse gas emissions (such as by improving energy efficiency or supporting renewable or low carbon energy generation), effective mitigation (such as by planning to mitigate flood risk or coastal change) and increasing greenhouse gas storage (through either natural or technological techniques)
This award will go to the team, plan or project that the judges feel most clearly demonstrates how professional planning work has enabled, or is likely to enable, high quality senior living, whether by providing housing particularly suited to ageing people or in other ways helping to enhance older people’s lifestyle. Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
These categories reward excellence in placemaking activity.
This award will go to the housing scheme of fewer than 500 homes that most clearly demonstrates a positive impact or expected positive impact on the physical or environmental quality of a place or the economic or social well-being of the community. New build and conversion schemes are both eligible. Entries need to make clear how many housing units a project has provided or plans to provide, the mix of tenures, and whether it already has planning permission (and if not, the stage it has reached in the planning process). Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
This award will go to the housing scheme of 500 homes or more that most clearly demonstrates a positive impact or likely positive impact on the physical or environmental quality of a place or the economic or social well-being of the community. New build and conversion schemes are both eligible. Entries need to make clear how many housing units a project has provided or plans to provide, the mix of tenures, and whether it already has planning permission (and if not, the stage it has reached in the planning process). Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
This award will go to the entry that most clearly demonstrates how a project, plan or organisation has helped to generate, or is likely to help to generate, sustained economic growth in a place or community without negative effect on its environmental quality. Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
This award will go to the entry that best demonstrates how a project, plan or organisation has used arts, culture or sport in a way that has improved, or is likely to improve, the physical or environmental quality of a place or the economic or social wellbeing of a community. Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
This award will go to the entry that best demonstrates how a project, plan or organisation has used a place or community’s heritage in a way that has improved, or is likely to improve, the physical or environmental quality of the place or the economic or social well-being of the community. To be eligible, a scheme must either involve the conservation/preservation of historic buildings or a wider area, or in other ways capitalise on the history of a place and/or community. Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
This award will be given to the initiative, project or plan that can best demonstrate how drawing on individuals and teams from different organisations, backgrounds and disciplines will enable or has enabled improvement to the physical or environmental quality of a place or the economic or social well-being of a community. Entries must be able show the roles of the partners, and demonstrate how the project or plan has or will achieve something that would not be possible if the partners were to be working alone. Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
This award will be given to an entry that most clearly demonstrates how an initiative, scheme or organisation has improved, or is likely to improve, the physical or environmental quality of a deprived or rundown place or the economic or social wellbeing of its community. The entry needs to be clear about the measure by which the place or community in question is deprived or rundown, and the evidence that the project will help improve or is already improving the area, community and/or place. Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
This award will be given to a project or plan that can best demonstrate how it has used or is planning to use high quality design to improve a place or create excellent prospects for improvement. When considering what additional material to provide to support the entry, please note that judges find plans (such as ground floor plans, typical upper floor plans, and site plans for context) helpful. Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
This award will go to the entrant that can most clearly demonstrate how a planning or placemaking team or strategy has improved, or is likely to improve, an individual town centre for occupiers and local people. Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
This award will go to the mixed-use project or plan that most clearly demonstrates its positive impact, or its likely positive impact, on the physical or environmental quality of a place or the economic or social well-being of a community. Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
This award will go to the entry that best demonstrates use of publicly-owned land or property in a way that has improved, or is likely to improve, the physical, and/or social and/or environmental qualities of a place. Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award. Enter online: planningawards.com
This award will go to the entry that best demonstrates use, or planned use, of brownfield land to improve the physical, environmental, economic or social attributes of a place. Where an entry comprises a single project that is intended to go/is going/has gone through the development management process, it must have an outline or a full permission to be eligible for an award.
This special award will go to the category winner that, in the judgement of Planning’s editor, represents the most exceptional achievement of all. (Entries cannot be submitted for this award, which will be made at the editor’s discretion).
BENEFITS OF ENTERING
DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF FROM YOUR COMPETITORS
Becoming a finalist or winner sets you apart from the competition, positioning your organisation as a leader in planning and placemaking. This recognition can open doors to new clients, new opportunities, and attract top-tier talent to your team.
REFLECT, LEARN, AND GROW
The entry process is a valuable opportunity to reflect on your achievements, identify areas for improvement, and gather insights from expert judges. You can use this feedback to make impactful changes and drive future success for your organisation.
GAIN PR OPPORTUNITIES & RAISE YOUR PROFILE
Being a finalist or winner not only boosts your reputation but also opens up promotional opportunities. Gain visibility, build your network, and enhance your organisation’s status in the industry by putting yourself on the map.
CELEBRATE AND RECOGNISE YOUR TEAM
Have you and your team delivered exceptional work? The Planning Awards celebrate the best projects, giving your team the recognition they deserve for their hard work and dedication. Entering is a great way to show appreciation, and attending the ceremony offers a chance to celebrate together.
The Planning Awards offer you the chance to align your business with the people, teams and companies that are leading the way in the planning and placemaking sectors.
As a marketing and business development opportunity, the Awards offer you the chance to promote your products and services to our audience. Build your brand at our events in person or digitally, in our marketing campaigns, as well as the Awards website.
Please get in contact so we can help to build a bespoke package to deliver your goals.
Contact James Battye at [email protected]
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