Winner
Bloomfields
Bloomfields enables homeowners, landowners and businesses to unlock the potential of their buildings and land. From an initial assessment of planning potential, which can include residential development opportunities as well as commercial projects for food producers and suppliers, they offer honest, clear and sound planning advice.
Bloomfields works with individuals, residents' groups and local authorities. As well as gaining planning consent for new buildings and community facilities, projects include sympathetic conversion of existing buildings, sustainable new homes, varying commercial uses and improvements and expansion to educational and industrial premises.
Judge's citation:
Bloomfields impressed the judges with their entry championing their specialism in rural planning. The team is made up of a mix of expertise at all career levels, with a growing emphasis on the next generation of talented planners being supported by those with more extensive experience.
The judges were particularly pleased to see Bloomfields' commitment to emerging technologies and approaches, sometimes harder to reflect in the more traditional farming and rural projects the practice has become renowned for.
The entry reflected an excitement and buzz within the team, underscoring a positive engagement with the planning process and a "can-do" attitude in the face of the various complexities we have all come to know in planning practice.
Commendation:
Lewis and Co Planning SE Ltd
Lewis & Co Planning, established in 2006, is a professional town planning consultancy based in Brighton, offering a broad range of planning services to clients across the UK. With over 100 years of combined experience, the firm specialises in providing expert advice on planning applications, appeals, and development projects, offering tailored solutions for both private and public sector clients.
They have a proven track record of successfully navigating complex planning regulations and securing approvals. The firm’s team of specialists is dedicated to delivering practical and innovative planning strategies that meet their clients' needs in a dynamic planning environment.
Judges' citation:
This is a good submission centred on people and community - of all backgrounds - in the planning successes of the team. The judges were particularly impressed with their approach to diversity. Inclusive planning was particularly strong with reference to multi-lingual and multi-modal consultation information.
The team gave good examples of using innovative methods such as lidar and AI, to solve problems, and support and speed up their work. The reference to the planning process beyond simple application inputs is appreciated, as this underscores the importance of 'good planning' right through to delivery. Well done.