A plan to regenerate deprived areas of inner Preston has been crowned overall winner at this year’s Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence.

The City Living Strategy, submitted by Preston City Council and Hive Land & Planning, involves the ‘de-risking’ of 50 brownfield sites to attract private investment, and will lead to the building of over 3,000 homes, many of which will be affordable.

In awarding the prestigious Silver Jubilee Cup to the City Living Strategy, the judges said that the delivery of the sites would bring ‘transformational housing growth’ to the area, regenerate neighbourhoods, and have positive benefits for local communities and the physical environment.

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Dyan Currie HonMRTPI, Chief Planner of Brisbane City Council and Chair of the judging panel, said: “Preston City Council’s City Living Strategy is a worthy winner of the Silver Jubilee Cup.

“The judges were impressed by its proactive approach to the making of positive and impactful improvements to the city, noting particularly the use of innovative mechanisms to involve and engage with the local community.

“A human rights impact assessment is a unique addition to the strategy, setting a really positive tone for how planning can benefit all in a variety of ways. This project is highly relevant to the ‘levelling up’ agenda for the North and is transferable across the UK.

“With the world facing significant complex challenges, planning has become more important than ever before. The quality of entries in this year’s Awards was outstanding and the judges remain confident of the future of the profession during these challenging times.”

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Preston’s planners were also commended in the Planning Authority Team of the Year category, with judges highlighting not only their work on the City Living Strategy but also their efforts to help vulnerable people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chris Hayward, Director of Development and Housing at Preston City Council, said: “We are delighted to win this prestigious national award for our City Living Strategy, alongside Hive Land and Planning, who are helping us deliver it.

“We have a vision to grow Preston into a modern and vibrant city, and attractive, affordable accommodation for residents is vital for this aim. We’re pleased this work has been recognised by the judging panel.

“I am also thrilled to see our Planning Team recognised as the Planning Team of the Year, alongside Plymouth City Council. We have an excellent planning team who have pulled together well during a challenging year and it’s pleasing to see their hard work and determination recognised.

“In particular, their involvement in helping vulnerable people during the pandemic is recognition of not just the planning teams, but all the staff at Preston City Council who have gone the extra mile to support the people of Preston.”

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Silver Jubilee Cup (awarded to project judged best overall)

WINNER: Preston City Living Strategy, submitted by Preston City Council and Hive Land & Planning

Excellence in Plan Making Practice

WINNER: Preston City Living Strategy submitted by Preston City Council and Hive Land & Planning

COMMENDED: Ross-on-Wye Neighbourhood Plan, submitted by Place Studio

Local Authority Planning Team of the Year

COMMENDED: Preston City Council

COMMENDED: Plymouth City Council

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