South West Awards for Planning Excellence
The RTPI South West Awards for Planning Excellence 2026 continue to recognise and highlight the positive contribution planning professionals make in the communities we serve around the world.
Congratulations to the to the South West Awards for Planning Excellence winners 2026 who were announced at the Summer reception and awards ceremony on 1 July 2026, at Sandy Park Exeter.
- Best Best Plan, Green Heritage Homes entered by Bath and North East Somerset Council
- Best in Region and Best Project, Glastonbury Abbey Yard and St Dunstan's House Community Health and Wellbeing Centre submitted by Mott MacDonald
- Best Homes and Communities Scheme, Hazelmead Cohousing, Bridport entered by Barefoot Architects
- Planning Authority of the Year, Bath and North East Somerset Council
- Small Planning Consultancy of the Year, Bailey Partnership
- Mid-sized Planning Consultancy of the Year, Lighthouse Development Consulting
- Young Planner of the Year, Alison Balsdon, Devon County Council
- South West Regional Chair's Award - Unsung heroes of planning - Linda Hayden, Somerset Council
Commendations
- Best Homes and Communities Scheme, Bell Close in Bristol submitted by BDP
- Planning Authority of the Year, Bristol City Council – Development Management
- Small Planning Consultancy of the Year, Feria Urbanism
- Young Planner of the Year, Elizabeth Bisp, Black Box Planning
- Regional Chair’s Award, Senjuti Manna, BCP Council (Highly commended) and Katie Saunders, Plymouth City Council (Commended)
Thank you to the judges
Thank you to our judges for generously volunteering their time, dedication, and expertise to the judging process, including participating in interviews and site visits. Your commitment and support are truly appreciated.
A stepping stone to our national celebration
These winners become national finalists except for Young Planner of the Year who will be judged by the national judges in September. The top five will become Young Planner of the Year national finalists.
High scoring shortlisted project and housing entries* from the regions and nations are also put through for judging in the national awards and will be judged against the other projects and housing entries in their selected categories for the national finalist list. The remaining four direct to national categories** are also judged to complete the national finalist list of 16 categories.
The national finalists will be revealed on 7 October, and the winners will be announced and celebrated on 3 December 2026. Details will be published here.
*Project categories:
• Excellence in Planning for a Successful Economy
• Excellence in Planning for Wellbeing and Education
• Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture
• Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment
Homes categories:
• Excellence in Planning for Homes and Communities (small schemes under 50 homes)
• Excellence in Planning for Homes and Communities (mid-sized schemes 50-250 homes)
• Excellence in Planning for Homes and Communities (large schemes over 250 homes)
**Direct to national categories:
• Excellence in Digital Planning Practice
• International Award for Planning Excellence
• In-house Planning Team of the Year
• Planning Consultancy of the Year
If you’re interested in sponsoring future South West Awards for Planning Excellence, please contact Kimmie.Walker@rtpi.org.uk
More information
If you have any questions, please visit the awards hub or contact Kimmie.Walker@rtpi.org.uk , RTPI South West Regional Manager.
