Northern Ireland Awards for Planning Excellence

Celebrating Planning Excellence

The Northern Ireland Awards for Planning Excellence continue to recognise and highlight the positive contributions that planning professionals make to the communities we serve around the world. .

Congratulations to the NI Awards for Planning Excellence, sponsored by Cleaver Fulton Rankin 2025 Winners, who were announced on 9 June at Barnett's Demense, Belfast at our lunchtime Welcome Celebration event.

Best Project - Creevagh Heights/Sean Dolan's GAC submitted by Radius Housing Association
Planning Authority of the Year - Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Mid-Size Planning Consultancy of the Year - Clyde Shanks
Young Planner of the Year - Sophie Burch

The Judges also awarded the following projects:

Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture - Clooney Terrace Cannon Site Environmental Improvement Scheme Submitted by Derry City and Strabane District Council (Winner)
Excellence in Planning for Communities (Small schemes) - Ross Street Mews Submitted by Studiorogers Architects (in conjunction with Gravis Planning and Radius Housing Association) (Winner)
Excellence in Planning for Communities (Large schemes) - Creevagh Heights/Sean Dolan’s GAC Submitted by Radius Housing Association (Winner)
Excellence in Planning for a Successful Economy - Portaferry Public Realm Submitted by AECOM (Commended)

A stepping stone to our national celebration

The winners for Best Project, Planning Authority of the Year and Mid-Size Planning Consultancy become national finalists. The Young Planner of the Year winner will be judged by the national judges in September. The top five will become Young Planner of the Year 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

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.