Awards

The RTPI West Midlands Regional Awards for Planning Excellence celebrate outstanding projects that demonstrate the power of planning in our region. Entries reflect the diversity of planning achievement, whether in urban or rural areas, large or small in scale, involving new development, regeneration or conservation.

Winning these prestigious awards is a clear demonstration of quality, and an excellent way to raise the profile of a project, team or individual.

Scroll down to watch the ceremony! The RTPI West Midlands Awards for Planning Excellence 2020 were broadcast on 17 November 2020.

We are delighted to announce that City of Wolverhampton Council and Ion Development have been awarded the RTPI West Midlands Award for Planning Excellence 2020 for the Wolverhampton Interchange.

Wolverhampton Interchange is an exemplar scheme which really stood out to the judges as an illustration of leading practice that deserves recognition. Its masterplan-led approach and close partnership working have brought a vision into a reality, delivering a state-of-the-art, multi-modal transport hub around which the city is developing its new commercial gateway. The Interchange is providing an enhanced sense of arrival, improving access to jobs, services and facilities and rejuvenating part of the city with significant benefits for its residents and businesses. - RTPI West Midlands Judging Panel 2020

The RTPI West Midlands Young Planner of the Year Award 2020 was awarded to Daniel G. Wilson (hgh Consulting).

Daniel stood out to the judges as extremely committed and passionate about promoting the power of planning and championing the development of fellow young planners and prospective young planners in the region and beyond. He is an ambassador for the RTPI through his work Chairing the Young Planners Committee and as part of the Planning Ball Organising Committee, Regional Activities Committee and Planning Aid England. The judges felt that Daniel is an exceptional role model for other Young Planners with an excellent understanding of planning and an ambition to deliver inclusive growth that has a positive impact and transforms communities through his work. - RTPI West Midlands Judging Panel 2020

A commendation was awarded to Charles Goode (University of Birmingham).

Charles’ submission demonstrated that he has a sound understanding of planning and is committed to strengthening the connections between academia and planning practice. He enthusiastically strives and takes a creative approach to making academic research accessible for planning practitioners. The judges agreed that he is an excellent role model for young planners seeking a career in academia and that Charles should be awarded a commendation for his positive impact, drive and commitment to the profession. - RTPI West Midlands Judging Panel 2020

The RTPI West Midlands Chair's Award 2020 was awarded to Dudley MBC and Partners for the Dudley People's Panel.

I’m delighted to announce Dudley People’s Panel with this year’s Chair’s award, the panel is inclusive, equal and diverse, it really gives local communities a voice. - Luke Hillson, RTPI West Midlands Chair 2020

The RTPI West Midlands Awards for Planning Excellence 2020 were broadcast on 17 November 2020. You can view the ceremony, and explore the shortlist, below.

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Headline sponsor:

The RTPI West Midlands Awards for Planning Excellence 2020 are kindly sponsored by No5 Chambers

Carters Green Improvements

Entered by: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and Fitzgerald Contractors

Sandwell Council planners and highways officers worked in partnership with local contractors and the Business Improvement District to create a vibrant local centre using innovative technology and design.

The highways improvements and high-quality public realm have revitalised Carters Green, creating an inclusive, safe space for pedestrians and significant environmental benefits. Creative design has incorporated local history into the landscape and created a setting for the listed clock tower.

The opening in January 2020 was welcomed by local businesses, residents and visitors and marked the 120th anniversary of the death of Alderman Reuben Farley, a key figure in the area’s history.

HS2 Phase One West Midlands Stations

Entered by: High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd

HS2 is the new high speed rail network that will connect major cities across Britain. It will enhance the lives of future generations by delivering a transformational rail system that is admired around the world. Connecting the West Midlands to London on Phase One, the new stations will be located in Birmingham City Centre for the northern terminus and at Interchange Station, Solihull, providing improved connections to the NEC and Birmingham International Airport. Each design will set a new benchmark for a fully inclusive and accessible station coupled with a high level of comfort, innovative and iconic design, and sustainability.

Perry Barr Regeneration

Entered by: Birmingham City Council

More than 5,000 new homes will be delivered over the next 20+ years at Perry Barr, along with new public transport and active travel routes, education and employment, and high-quality public spaces. The delivery of the first phase of the Perry Barr Residential Scheme (PBRS) residential scheme providing more than 1000 homes and enhanced sustainable transport infrastructure to support this level of growth, is both an exemplar scheme in its own right – demonstrating inclusive, resilient placemaking – and a catalyst for the longer-term development of the area. Planning tools, including Masterplanning, CPO, negotiation, strategic planning, and development management have been key.

Ross-on-Wye Neighbourhood Plan

Entered by: Place Studio

The Ross-on-Wye Neighbourhood Plan addressed a wide range of issues of long term concern to local people. By working with the plan Steering Group, and drawing on the outcomes of a huge variety of highly active community engagement activities, an innovative and challenging plan emerged. There was also close working with Herefordshire Council and some landowners and developers. The plan has passed examination but, although the referendum is now delayed, it is already being used to assess planning applications, and some of the associated practical projects are also on their way.

Wolverhampton Interchange

Entered by: City of Wolverhampton Council and Ion Development

Wolverhampton Interchange is transforming the commercial gateway to Wolverhampton city centre by providing a fully integrated multi-modal transport hub (including a state-of-the-art train station). It is delivering new commercial floor space for high value jobs and capitalising on Wolverhampton’s strategic connectivity within the region and to major UK cities. The complexities of a project of this nature have been managed through a masterplanning approach to align the project partners, including City of Wolverhampton Council, Midlands Metro Alliance, Ion Development, Network Rail, West Midlands Trains and the Canal and River Trust, and ensure the successful delivery of this multi-phased project.

Worcestershire Parkway

Entered by: Worcestershire County Council

Development of a new rail station and associated infrastructure at the intersection of the Birmingham to Bristol and Cotswold railway lines in Worcestershire, known as Worcestershire Parkway, providing a strategic rail interchange. The development comprises of new platforms on the Birmingham to Bristol railway line and one platform on the Cotswold railway line, a new station building, a Public Right of Way footbridge over the Birmingham to Bristol railway line, car and cycle parking including a minimum of 25 spaces for electric vehicles, flood attenuation area, reptile compensation area and a new access and roundabout on the B4084.

The Planning for Excellence Award is kindly sponsored by WYG
Charles Edward Goode

Charles is a highly committed planner/geographer who strives to combine the highest standards of academic planning/geographical research with ensuring this research is accessible to practitioners and championing the profession more broadly. Charles is extremely dedicated to the RTPI through attending events around the country and regularly writing conference reports, presenting his research and writing ‘thought pieces’/RTPI blogs summarising his research for members. Charles is passionate about disseminating research and encouraging debate on broader planning issues, like the housing crisis, Green Belts, strategic planning, community involvement and politics in planning. For example, he organised a joint RTPI/RGS event on Green Belts.

Ollie Thomas

Ollie has covered a great deal of ground in a short space of time. His zeal and enthusiasm for planning has seen him sail through local authority promotions, a masters degree and most recently as planning consultant in the private sector, all in the space of three years.

He is firmly committed to the crucial role planning makes to society and is excited about the part he plays. He has a bright future ahead and intends to continue to seize every opportunity to use his skills and develop his expertise to the benefit of the public and a better tomorrow.

Daniel G. Wilson

Dan is extensively involved within the planning world in the West Midlands. He currently serves as Chair of the Young Planners Committee, sits on both the Planning Ball Organising Committee and Regional Activities Committee; he is also a Planning Aid England volunteer. Professionally, Dan specialises in promoting and securing consent for sustainable developments that leave a positive lasting impact on neighbourhoods. He is proud to be involved with schemes that deliver holistic inclusive growth and transform communities. Dan is an avid networker and is passionate about promoting the activities and profession of planning in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.