Congratulations to Stanfords Colchester LLP, winner of Small Planning Consultancy of the Year at the RTPI East of England Planning Excellence Awards 2026.

This Planning Consultancy has been awarded Small Planning Consultancy of the Year in recognition of the outstanding performance and impact of its two person MRTPI planning team, which specialises in rural and sensitive development and uses lived experience of autism and ADHD to make planning clearer and more accessible for clients, many of whom are also neurodivergent. Over the past year, the team has delivered exceptional results — submitting 57 applications, with 50 determined to date, achieving 41 approvals and securing a strong base of repeat and recommended clients, including 14 new instructions by recommendation in 2025. Their evidence led approach, clear communication, early engagement and constructive collaboration with LPAs consistently deliver sustainable, workable outcomes, firmly establishing this small planning consultancy as a truly deserving winner.