A flagship development alongside the Leeds-Liverpool Canal has been announced as the overall winner at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) North West Awards for Planning Excellence.
Pennington Wharf, submitted by Taylor Wimpey in partnership with Wigan Council and Homes England, also won in the Large Schemes and Regeneration categories at the online ceremony, broadcast yesterday as a YouTube Premiere.
The judges noted how Taylor Wimpey had delivered a marina basin, a promenade, commercial and retail buildings and 471 homes on the site in Leigh, turning a vast swathe of derelict land into a vibrant, inclusive community.
Member of the judging panel Steve Thompson MRTPI said: “The developer has worked closely with its partners over several years to bring forward this high quality, well-designed and popular housing development, which demonstrates a very high standard of design. The Community Hub and central space within the development provide a fantastic new facility and focal point for residents, whilst positive community engagement was a strong feature of the scheme throughout the development process.”
Taylor Wimpey Land and Planning Manager Nikki Waud said: “We are beyond delighted with winning not one, not two, but three awards for our Pennington Wharf development. The commitment of the team to engage with key stakeholders and the community from the outset was evident throughout the development and a great example of Taylor Wimpey’s approach to placemaking; to have this acknowledged by such an esteemed panel of judges is the icing on the cake. We look forward to progressing to the National Awards early next year.”
Other winners at the ceremony included Bury Council’s Development Management Team, named as Local Planning Authority Team of the Year. The judges noted the team’s constant drive for improvement and willingness to introduce innovation and initiatives to quickly and flexibly address the changes and challenges faced by planners.
North West Young Planner of the Year was named as Rebecca Dewey MRTPI, Associate Director at WSP. Rebecca has volunteered with the RTPI since 2014 and was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2020. The judges described her as ‘an active ambassador of planning and passionate about nurturing the next generation’.
RTPI North West Chair Kim Cooper MRTPI said: “We’re excited to celebrate, and showcase, the achievements of the people and projects helping to make the North West region a fantastic place to live and work. The standard of award entrants this year was exceptionally high, and my congratulations go to everyone who received an award or a commendation.
“In particular I’d like to congratulate Rebecca Dewey for winning the Young Planner of the Year Award, in recognition of her considerable professional achievements and her volunteering roles with the RTPI. She is a fantastic role model for others.”
The RTPI North West Awards for Planning Excellence are sponsored by WYG.
Full list of winners at this year’s RTPI North West Awards for Planning Excellence:
Heritage & Culture
Winner – Stone Cross Mansion, submitted by Charles Church Lancashire
Commendation – Ogdens Clock Tower Liverpool, submitted by Brock Carmichael Architects
Large Scheme
Winner – Pennington Wharf, submitted by Taylor Wimpey (Manchester)
Commendation – Northcote Park, Langho, submitted by Maybern Planning & Development and Pringle Homes
Regeneration
Winner – Pennington Wharf, submitted by Taylor Wimpey (Manchester)
Commendation – Pall Mall Liverpool, submitted by WSP
Spatial Planning
Winner – Preston City Living Strategy, submitted by Preston City Council and Hive Land & Planning
Local Planning Authority Team of the Year
Bury Council
Young Planner of the Year
Rebecca Dewey
Overall winner
Pennington Wharf, submitted by Taylor Wimpey (Manchester)
