The RTPI South East Awards for Planning Excellence 2022 has crowned Milton Keynes Council and East Hants District Council as joint overall winner for their climate-focused projects.
Milton Keynes Council won for its Sustainable Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), while East Hants District Council picked up the award for its Whitehill & Bordon Green Loop and Wayfinding Project, a large Green Infrastructure Project.
The Green Loop – a 7km loop of paths that encircles Whitehill & Bordon is used by walkers, runners, and cyclists.
The project entered by Milton Keynes Council also won the best plan in the region award and is a core component in the delivery of Milton Keynes Council’s ambition for reaching carbon neutrality by 2030.
Stephen Harness FRTPI, Chair of RTPI South East judging panel, said: “This year the judging panel took the very unusual step to award joint winners of Best in Region to the Whitehill & Bordon Green Loop & Wayfinding Project and the Sustainable Construction SPD. This reflects the diversity of the entries and what the judging panel felt were their stand-out-features.
“The Green Loop and Wayfinding Project demonstrates attention to detail on design to incorporate and include a natural environment whilst promoting active travel. The Sustainable Construction SPD incorporates innovative monitoring and implementation approaches investing in the skills of planners and that is already paying dividends in the planning process.
“Both winning schemes will provide an excellent basis for planning authorities and developers to look to as an example of best practice for similar approaches in their own areas”.
Arrow Planning team walked away as winners of the RTPI South East Small Planning Consultancy of the Year 2022, while Amy Powell from Edgars, who recently became a chartered planner through the RTPI Apprenticeship scheme, won the award for The RTPI South East Young Planner of the Year 2022.
