Celebrating Planning Excellence

The Northern Ireland Awards for Planning Excellence continue to recognise and highlight the positive contribution planning professionals make in the communities we serve around the world. 

Congratulations to the Northern Ireland Awards for Planning Excellence winners 2026 who were announced at the NI Welcome Celebration event on 11 June 2026 at Ulster University Belfast.

Winners

• Best Project, St Ronan's College submitted by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Resolve Planning.
• Best Homes and Communities Scheme, Tates Avenue submitted by Radius Housing.
• Young Planner of the Year, Dr Emily Wray.
• Judge's Award, The Keep submitted by Pragma Planning and Development Consultants and Like Architects.

Commendations

• Best Plan, Glencairn Place Shaping Plan 2036 submitted by Community Places NI.
• Best Homes and Communities Scheme, St Patrick's Shared Housing submitted by Radius Housing and The Savoy, Donaghadee submitted by Turley.

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 

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. 

For more information  

If you have any questions, please visit the awards hub or contact Julie Sullivan NI Member Services Officer 

Thank you to our sponsors