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North East Awards for Planning Excellence

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 2026 who were announced at the Awards dinner on Friday 26 June at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Thank you to our sponsors.

Winners

  • Best Plan, Newcastle International Airport Masterplan 2040 submitted by Newcastle International Airport  
  • Best Project, Blyth Market Pavilion submitted by DPP Planning
  • Best Homes and Communities Scheme, Union Village, Gresham submitted by IDPartnership Northern  

  • Chair’s Award, Hartlepool Artificial Nesting Structures for Kittiwakes entered by LDA Design

Commendation

  • Best Project, National Trust, Whitburn Coastal Conservation Centre submitted by National Trust
North East Award winners 2026

View our photo gallery here

 

A stepping stone to our national celebration

These winners become national finalists except for the Chair's Award. 

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 Kim Walker, NE Regional Manager.