Congratulations to Tom Venables who has won Young Planner of the Year 2009.

                            TomVenablesYoungPlanner

Tom Venables, an Associate Director with AECOM Design and Planning

Tom has been invited to attend the APA's National Planning Conference in New Orleans from 10 - 14 April 2010 with all flights and accommodation paid for. 

Additionally, he has been offered a free place at the Planning Summer School where he will be asked to give a talk on their experiences in New Orleans, a free place at the RTPI Convention in June and an opportunity to speak at the annual RTPI Young Planners' Conference.

This award is in the gift of the Institute and is intended to seek out and acclaim the brightest younger planners involved in the profession. This could be in planning practice, innovation, enterprise or philosophy.   

Entrants must be under the age of 35 on 31 December 2009. Nominations will be accepted from employers, colleagues, friends or relations or any member of the Institute who believes a young planner's particular contribution should be celebrated.The requirements are:

  • a citation of no more than 100 words from the nominator explaining what the young planner has achieved and promises for the future;
  • a summary of no more than 400 words detailing the candidate's professional qualifications including universities attended, employment history etc.
  • a 100 word statement from the nominee explaining how they would promote planning as a professional activity should they win
  • the name of one referee who can vouch for the young planner.

For the full criteria see here.

Details and an entry form for the Young Planner of the Year Award 2010 will be available here later in the year;  the closing date is Monday 27 September.

Young Planners Think Tank Group

This year, for the first time, all shortlisted candidates will be offered the chance to join the recently formed Young Planners Think Tank Group (YPTTG). This group provides independent advice, innovative ideas and a fresh perspective to key agencies and organisations that influence the function and delivery of the planning system in the UK., ie CLG, The Environment Agency, PINS, Devolved Parliaments, TCPA etc. It will provide an opportunity for key planning organisations to get a different, unique, fresh and thought-provoking perspective on their plans/programmes/proposals. This group meets at least twice a year.

Congratulations to Tracey Haskins who received the award for Young Planner of the Year 2008.

Tracey travelled to Minneapolis last year to attend the APA National Planning Conference.  See her details below.

Tracey Haskins, Planning Policy Manager, Guildford Borough Council