Entries for RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence now open

Entries for the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence are now open, and people are being encouraged to submit their entries before the deadline of 15 February.

The premier awards for planning in the UK, the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence exist to celebrate the positive contribution that planners and planning make to society, to highlight exceptional examples of planning and to inspire others to achieve the same high standards.

Colin Haylock, President of the RTPI, said: "Over the past year I have had the honour of seeing amazing examples of outstanding planning across the UK and Ireland and I have had the privilege of meeting some incredible planners. I want to see every one of these-and more-enter this year's Awards. Winning, or even being shortlisted for, these prestigious awards is a clear demonstration of the quality of your work. But people need to get their entries in before the 15 February."

There are two types of category in the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence, awards for projects and awards for people. This year's Awards have refreshed categories and criteria to ensure they continue to reflect the best of current practice in the planning profession.

There is no requirement to be a member of the RTPI to enter the Awards and entries for a project can be submitted by the planner, architect, planning authority, developer, or client. Collaborative entries are encouraged and all shortlisted and winning entrants will be provided with an Awards logo, which can be used on their own website and promotional materials.

Visit the RTPI's website for more information on how to enter: www.rtpi.org.uk/2012awards

Submissions are open in the following categories:

Awards for projects

• Outstanding planning to deliver growth
• Leading the way in planning for community
• Excellence in planning and design for the public realm
• Best planning for natural and built heritage
• Exemplary rural planning
• Innovative use of the planning process: plan-making
• Innovative use of the planning process: development management processes

Awards for people

• Planning Consultancy of the Year
• Small Planning Consultancy of the Year
• Young Planner of the Year