Celebrating Planning Excellence
The North East 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 North East Awards for Planning Excellence winners 2025 who were announced at the annual Awards Dinner on 27 June at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Newcastle.
Best Plan
- Winner – Riverside Sunderland Regeneration Maker & Faber Offices and Wear footbridge submitted by DPP Planning
- Commended Award – The Rising at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens entered by Raby Castle
- Commended Award – The Story submitted by Kier Construction and Durham County Council
Mid-Size Planning Consultancy of the Year
- Winner – Ethical Planning
Young Planner of the Year
- Winner – Samantha Wightman submitted by Emma Warneford
Chair's Award
- Winner – Hopetown Darlington submitted by Darlington Borough Council
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.
All the shortlisted entries from the project categories* will be judged for the national finalist list. The remaining four direct to national categories** are also judged to complete the national finalist list of a total of 15 categories.
The national finalists will be announced on 9 October. The winners will be announced and celebrated on 27 November 2025 in London at the national ceremony. Details will be announced here.
*Project categories:
- Excellence in Planning for a Successful Economy
- Excellence in Planning for Health and Wellbeing
- Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture
- Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment
- Excellence in Planning for Communities (small schemes under 50 homes)
- Excellence in Planning for Communities (large schemes of 50 homes or more)
**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
If you have any 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 Kim Walker, Regional Manager North East.
Thank you to our sponsors
