Winner and Best in region
Worthing Integrated Care Centre entered by Worthing Borough Council / ArchitecturePLB
Worthing Integrated Care Centre exemplifies innovative healthcare design, seamlessly integrating multiple services within a sustainable facility. This pioneering project creates a vital community asset, housing GP surgeries, mental health services, and community care.
The four-storey building’s elegant linear form arranged around a central 'vertical street', responds to its historic context while prioritizing sustainability through natural ventilation and low-carbon materials.
Extensive stakeholder engagement ensured a design that fosters collaborative care and enhances the public realm. The centre not only meets high environmental standards but also sets a new benchmark for integrated healthcare delivery, demonstrating ArchitecturePLB's expertise in creating innovative, community-focused architecture.
Judges citation:
Worthing Integrated Care Centre exemplifies innovative healthcare design, seamlessly integrating multiple services within a sustainable facility.
The judges felt that the planners had sought to exploit every opportunity of this site to not only deliver the immediate project needs, but also a sustainable, accessible and adaptable building carefully designed to fit in with the historic location and the wider community.
Developed in the town’s civic quarter, re-providing for the car park, the development allows for the consolidation of services from across the town into this new more accessible location. That will also free up other redevelopment opportunities.
The fabric-first, natural ventilation approach, with a green roof and low embodied carbon ensures energy use is minimised. The planners led the site appraisal, design, and consultation processes with responsive engagement throughout.
The judges were particularly impressed by the approach taken to enhance the wider public realm. Located on a challenging site with a range of adjacent design of buildings, some of heritage interest, meant the planners needed to ensure that the building suited its context.
But the judges felt the stepped four-storey building responds well and has a very positive contribution to the area. The insistence on a single building, with accessible links to the multi-storey car park, not only makes efficient use of the site but will also help to ensure it is adaptable to the changing needs of its various users. Incorporating the complex needs of the services to be provided, the judges recognised that had been achieved in a high-quality internal environment with significant benefits for both users and staff.
The judges wish this project every success, as it not only brings health improvements for the local community, but also provides an exemplar for other health services nationally to follow.
Commendation
Wealden District Council- Southern Water LPA Stakeholder Group entered by Wealden District Council
Wealden District Council took the lead in establishing the Southern Water Stakeholder Group in response to significant issues, including flooding and sewage pollution affecting residents and businesses. This Group unites over 20 councils across the South East, creating a platform for local authorities to collectively hold Southern Water and their regulators accountable for the poor quality of waterways and the coastline.
Led by planners, the group has undertaken various actions, such as lobbying at a national level, utilising Grampian planning conditions to prevent development without adequate infrastructure and pursuing legal advice and a test case appeal.
Judges' citation:
The group was established to combat waterway pollution and ensure sufficient infrastructure is in place to allow development without detriment to local communities. The group has achieved significant milestones, including improved sewage infrastructure, biodiversity improvements, enhanced transparency, and proactive community engagement.
This proactive approach demonstrates the powerful role of planning and the tools within it that can be utilised to bring about change. The combined body approach has added weight to representations with government agencies and departments and has the benefit of allowing knowledge to be shared.
The group’s actions have led to increased transparency and communication. Regular meetings and updates have provided an effective platform for concerns to be addressed.
The group has experimented with untested procedures and has been bold in their actions to ensure that new developments do not proceed until adequate infrastructure is in place, protecting local communities and the environment from potential pollution and flooding.
This approach has been tested at appeal and upheld with PINS decision 3343709. The Group’s actions have set a precedent for other councils to follow, demonstrating innovation in thinking and leadership in planning practice.
Overall, the judges considered this innovation a great example of the power of planning and how collaboration between local authorities can address a particular problem. It demonstrated an interesting example of planning seeking to bring about change, with planners working with the planning and legal tools available to them, to pursue the aim of good planning and achieve local objectives.
Difficult and thorny issues of public trust in the planning system and planner’s implementation of it were raised by the entry and although the solution so far is an interim measure to a long-term problem, the use of planning powers to achieve this should be recognised and commended.
Sea Lanes entered by Lewis and Co Planning SE Ltd
Sea Lanes Brighton is the UK’s first national open water swimming centre, offering a 50m, six-lane, heated outdoor pool located on the beachfront. Open year-round, it caters to both recreational and competitive swimmers, with flexible membership options and pay-per-swim.
The site promotes community health by offering a space for local events, fitness, and wellness. Accessibility is a priority, with features like ramps, hoists, and Changing Places facilities. The development enhances Brighton’s coastal experience while encouraging a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Judges' citation:
Sea Lanes is home to the National Open Water Swimming Centre. It comprises a six-lane 50 metre open-air swimming pool and 15 small businesses focusing on complimentary uses such as fitness, wellbeing and food.
The judges found that the development of Sea Lanes represents a holistic approach to incorporating clear community benefits from the pool itself and the associated businesses, with a design that respects its Brighton seafront location. Planners played a clear role in using the provisions of the formal system to encourage a high-quality outcome.
A visit to the site highlights the transformation of a neglected site into a development that has a clear sense of place and purpose, and is well-integrated into the seafront. In particular, the choice of wood and other low key finishes stood out, along with the limiting of building heights to two storeys. At the time of the visit the site was well-used, both the pool itself and other businesses on the site.
The judges were impressed by the clear evidence of how it was shaped by wide- ranging community engagement and guided carefully by planners. Further attention to detail is evident in the careful incorporation of features to make the pool accessible to all, for example by including a hoist, shallow steps and a Changing Places facility, and environmental measures such as on-site solar energy generation.
Overall, the judges commend the project for its holistic approach, incorporating appropriate design and sustainability measures, an extensive and effective approach to community engagement and impressive attention to accessibility and inclusivity. The result is a development that has clear and extensive benefits for its local community.
Shortlist
The Milton Park (2024) Local Development Order entered by Vale of White Horse District Council and MEPC
The Milton Park (2024) LDO is a new generation of simplified planning, showcasing public and private sector collaboration to foster economic growth whilst embracing sustainable design, biodiversity and green travel.
Underpinned by Vale of White Horse District Council and MEPC’s shared ambition for greener growth, the LDO features a bespoke ten-day planning approval which streamlines the planning process significantly, providing certainty and confidence for Milton Park’s science and innovation community.
Featuring what is thought to be the UK’s first real-time, data-driven, green travel-focused s106 agreement, demonstrating that proactive development management can provide the conditions for ambitious, sustainable economic growth.
Winchester EV Superhub, entered by Lone Wolf Planning Ltd is submitting on behalf of the collaborating developers; Enviromena and InstaVolt
The Winchester Superhub is the largest and first EV charging station of its kind in the country and is a brilliant example of collaborative planning. The site benefits from its own on-site solar farm and battery energy storage system. The site has been subject to planning consent and two rounds of amendments and the credit for the project remaining to its construction timeline goes to the local planning authority (planning committee and officers). The Superhub will play a key role in driving the country's transport system to its decarbonised future with the economic benefits that will accrue from that.
Fortis House, Henwood entered by DHA Planning
Fortis House is a development of 23 new homes, which are used as temporary accommodation for homeless people or individuals and families needing respite prior to finding more permanent accommodation in the borough of Ashford.
The new modular, zero-carbon development provides much-needed temporary accommodation for the borough, supplementing two other similar accommodations.
The development utilises previously-developed land within a short distance of Ashford town centre, providing residents with access to shops, cafés and other amenities within a 10-minute walking radius, and less than 1km from Ashford International Station.
Foy House, Margate entered by Thanet District Council
Keeping residents safe is a key priority for Thanet District Council. Supporting those without secure accommodation is just one part of the council’s strategy to support residents’ housing needs and most importantly, vulnerable people in crisis.
Foy House was a long-term empty building on Margate High Street, in one of the most deprived wards in the area. The Council purchased the building and managed a complex project to redevelop it, to provide flexible, secure and well-planned temporary accommodation for residents in urgent need of housing.
Foy House has been a catalyst in the Council's advancement of the Accelerated Temporary Accommodation Programme.
KMMS Medical Student Accommodation, Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Kent entered by DHA Planning
DHA led the team which secured planning permission for a major health education and residential project of regional importance. It successfully argued the case for the development on the site of a major NHS hospital despite it being in the green belt and adjacent to ancient woodland.
The new facility, which is now complete, will boost the provision of medical training in a region struggling to recruit and retain doctors.
The delivery of the new student accommodation presented several complex development issues which were overseen and addressed by DHA.
Reuben College entered by Savills
The project involved the refurbishment of Grade II Listed Buildings, including the Radcliffe Science Library, Abbot’s Kitchen and Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory in Oxford, to create a new graduate college, museums’ collections teaching and research centre and library.
The proposals sought to make better use of the existing buildings, which were no longer fit for purpose, whilst respecting the high heritage significance of the buildings and improving their environmental performance.
Ightham Mote Visitor Reception and Shop entered by DHA Planning
Following the grant of planning permission and listed building consent in August 2021, the new visitor reception and shop building at Igtham Mote has been completed and is now open to the public.
The design of the new visitor centre incorporates sustainable features, including hempcrete walling, air source heat pumps, a green roof, natural ventilation, passive shading and a sustainable surface water management system, all crafted to respect the site’s natural beauty and heritage.
With these improvements, visitors can now enjoy an enriched experience while exploring one of Kent’s most significant heritage sites.
Lancing Fives Court entered by Lewis and Co Planning SE Ltd
This project exemplifies excellence in planning, combining heritage conservation, sustainability, and community benefits. By transforming Lancing College’s underused Fives Courts into a vibrant café and enhancing the Seconds Quad, the design respects the historic character while introducing modern functionality.
Key features include a fully glazed café façade, biodiverse outdoor space, and energy-efficient upgrades, such as air source heat pumps and passive design strategies. The project supports the college’s Sixth Form needs, fosters student wellbeing, and promotes biodiversity through native planting and habitat creation. It sets a benchmark for heritage-led regeneration, balancing historic preservation with contemporary needs and sustainable practices.
Lower Darent Riverside Strategy entered by Dartford Borough Council and Arup
In response to the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan, the Lower Darent Riverside Strategy employs nature-based solutions to tackle flooding from the River Darent and River Thames, intensified by climate change.
This strategy promotes consistent local flood defence planning for Dartford town centre, park, and marshes, maximising environmental, social, cultural, and economic benefits. It envisions a sustainable riverside, enhancing active travel connections and rejuvenating Dartford’s communities through improved connectivity between the river and the town centre. This pioneering strategy offers a comprehensive approach, including a baseline, design principles, toolkit, methodology, and funding opportunities, setting a new standard for resilience and sustainability.
Winchester Nutrient Mitigation Strategy entered by Winchester City Council and the Partnership for South Hampshire
The approach towards phosphorus mitigation demonstrates how Council-owned assets can be used in a positive way to unlock housing and improve water quality across the district. The Council engaged with internal departments, undertook a number of technical studies and proactively engaged with Natural England to positively drive the project forward.
The Council-owned wastewater treatment works have generated strategic phosphorus mitigation whilst also generating nitrogen mitigation. The outcome of the project has helped meet housing targets, achieve climate change goals, improve the natural environment and provides an example of best practice that can be replicated by others.