Our planning awards

Our Planning Service is fully committed to delivering high quality services and constantly strive to develop fresh, new and innovative ideas. These can be about how to make life a little bit easier for anyone using the services we provide, through to how we make Plymouth a better place in which to live, work and play. It's all about trying to make a real difference to people's lives.

While we recognise that we'll always need to continue to improve, we're proud too of our achievements, many of which have been recognised nationally, regionally and locally through awards. We've identified below awards that have been made directly to the Council for the work we've led on and to other organisations where our teams have made a positive contribution. We can be equally proud of both.

 

2019

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date
National Housing Awards 2019
Best Innovative Housing Solution		 Winner
Rentplus submitted but worked with the support of PCC and the Housing Delivery Team		 2019

Construction News Awards 2019
Sustainable Project of the Year

 Winner
PCH submitted Primrose Park development, PCC are their partner		 2019
IEMA Sustainability Awards
Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain		 Shortlisted
WSP submitted Forder Valley Link Road for the work that we have done for the scheme mitigation and the Net Gain		 2019
Green Flag Awards
Green Flag for Parks		 Awarded Green Flag​
Submitted Central park for a green flag award, a status that if awarded, shows that the park is of a high standard		 2019

2018

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date
RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2018
RTPI Silver Jubilee Cup		 Winner
​City Change Fund through Crowdfunder		 2018
RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2018
Excellence in Tech Within Planning Practice

Winner
​City Change Fund through Crowdfunder

 2018
RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2018
Excellence in Tech Within Planning Practice		 Shortlisted
DATA Play		 2018
LABC - The Bricks 2018
Bricks and Mortar Partnership Award		 Finalist
Plymouth City Council Building Control Team		 2018
Inside Housing Development Awards 2018
Best affordable housing development (under 25 homes)		 Winner
The Nelson Project		 2018

RTPI South West Awards for Planning Excellence 2018
Large Schemes (20 or more homes)

Winner
The Nelson Project, Plymouth City Council

 

 2018

RTPI South West Awards for Planning Excellence 2018
Excellence in Planning for Health and Wellbeing

Finalist
Four Greens Trust, Plymouth City Council

 2018

Mitchelmores Property Awards 2018
Alternative Property Investment Project of the Year

Winner
The Nelson Project, Form Design/PCC/Liverty

 2018
RTPI South West Awards 2018 Excellence in Spatial Planning

Highly Commended
Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan, Plymouth City Council, South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council

 2018
Inside Housing Awards 2018 Best Affordable Housing Scheme (under 25 homes)

Winner
The Nelson Project, Plymouth City Council

 2018

2017

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

Empty Homes Network Awards at the National Empty Homes Conference 2017
Empty Homes Practitioner of the Year

Winner
Thelma Cunningham submitted for her work on empty homes

 

 2017

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence
Excellence in Planning to Deliver Housing 

Highly commended
Chaddlewood Development (submitted jointly by Barratts and Major Developments/Housing Delivery Team)

 2017

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence
Excellence in Planning Decision Making 

Commended
Plymouth Strategic Landscape/Seascape Character and Sensitivity Study (submitted jointly by Natural Infrastructure Team and LUC)

 2017

South West Concrete Society Awards
Best Civils Project

Winner
Plymouth Coach Station and Mayflower West Car Park

 2017

British Parking Awards
Best Surface Level Car Park

Winner
Plymouth Coach Station and Mayflower West Car Park

 2017

Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) South West Awards
Large Project of the Year

Highly commended
Plymouth Coach Station and Mayflower West Car Park

 2017

Coach Tourism Awards
Coach Friendly Destination

Finalist
Visitor Coach Strategy

 2017

Constructing Excellence South West
Project of the Year Civil Engineering 

Highly commended
Plymouth Coach Station and Mayflower West Car Park

 2017

Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West Awards
People's Choice Award

Shortlisted
Plymouth Coach Station and Mayflower West Car Park

 2017

Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) South West
Transportation Project of the Year 

Finalist
Plymouth Coach Station and Mayflower West Car Park

 2017

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence Awards
Best change of use of an existing building or conversion

Finalist
Astor Hotel (conversion into 13 luxury flats and 1 townhouse)
Architects: Gillespie Yunnie

 2017
Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence Awards

Best individual new home

Finalist
White Oaks, Widewell Lane
Architect: Adam Scott, Barc Architects

 2017

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence Awards
Best extension or alteration to an existing home 

Finalist
114 Looseleigh Lane
Architect: Graham Jones, Rogers and Jones Architects

 2017

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence Awards
Best Local Builder or Traditional Craftsperson

Winner
Jim Woodley, Direct Property Services

 2017

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence Awards
Site Supervisor of the Year

Winner
John Taylor, Galliford Try

 2017

Herald Business Awards
Best Social Enterprise

Finalist, highly commended
Plymouth Energy Community

 2017

2016

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

European Council of Spatial Planners' 11th Urban and Regional Planning Awards, Special Mention Award

 Winner
The Plymouth Plan Consultation		 2016

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence
Excellence in Planning Delivery

Highly commended
The Court House Development, Mutley, Plymouth

 2016

Grow Wild Awards Kew Gardens
Best Use of Promotion by a Community Project

Winner 
City to Sea Wildflower Planting Project

 2016

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence
Silver Jubilee Cup

Winner
Plan for Homes

 2016

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence
Local Authority Planning Team of the Year

Winner 
Strategic Planning and Infrastructure

 2016

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence
Excellence in Planning to Deliver Housing

Winner
Plan for Homes

 2016

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence
Best Overall

Winner
Plan for Homes

 2016

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence
Excellence in Spatial Planning

Winner
Plan for Homes

 2016

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence
Excellence in Planning Delivery

Highly commended
The Court House Development, Mutley, Plymouth

 2016

Considerate Constructors Scheme National Awards
Silver Cup

Winner
Marjon Link Road Scheme

 2016

South West Built Environment Awards
Heritage Award Category

Shortlisted 
Laira Rail Bridge

 2016

2015

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

The Planning Awards
Award for Strategic Planning

Winner
The Plymouth Plan

 2015

The Planning Awards
Local Authority Team of the Year

Joint winner
Strategic Planning and Infrastructure

 2015

Academy of Urbanism
Great Neighbourhood Awards

Shortlisted
One of three for the Devonport Regeneration Project (Devonport is also now part of their Great Places Archive)

 2015

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) South West Awards
Residential Category

Shortlisted
Cargo 2, Millbay, Plymouth

 2015

Building Forum for Devon and Cornwall
Building of the Year Award

Winner
Genesis Building, Millfields Trust, Union Street, Plymouth

 2015

Michelmores Property Awards
Residential Project of the Year

Shortlisted 
41 units and over, Cargo 2, Millbay, Plymouth

 2015

Excellence Awards (Premier Guarantee)
Large Development of the Year

Finalist 
Admiralty Row and Maritime Quarter, Mount Wise, Plymouth

 2015

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) South West Awards
Infrastructure Category

Highly commended
Royal William Yard Staircase, Plymouth

 2015

Insider Property Awards South West
Residential Development of the Year

Winner
Millbay Plot A1/Quadrant Quay, Plymouth

 2015

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence
Excellence in Plan Making Practice Award 

Winner 
The Plymouth Plan

 2015

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence
Other Planning Work Award 

Winner 
The Plymouth Plan

 2015

Inside Housing Top 60 Developments
Regeneration Scheme of the Year

Winner
North Prospect Regeneration

 2015

Herald Business Awards
Innovation Category

Commended
Crowdfund Plymouth

 2015

Michelmores Property Awards
Commercial Project of the Year Award in the Under £5M Category

Winner
Plymouth University Marine Station

 2015

Michelmores Property Awards
Commercial Project of the Year Award in the Over £5M Category

 

Winner
Help for Heroes Personnel Recovery Centre, Plymouth

 2015

National Transport Awards
Ferry Operator of the Year

Shortlisted
Cremyll Ferry

 2015

Ashoka
European Competition Around Social Innovation to Tackle Poverty

Winner
Low Carbon City Team/Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) and PEC Renewables (we beat competition from 270 organisations coming from Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Poland and UK)

 2015
Green Flag Awards

 

Winner
Ham Woods Local Nature Reserve (secured by the Natural Infrastructure Team)

 2015

Green Energy Awards
Best Energy Efficiency Project

Highly commended
Low Carbon City Team/Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) and PEC Renewables

 2015

Green Energy Awards
Most Proactive Local Authority

Highly commended 
Low Carbon City Team/Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) and PEC Renewables

 2015

Observer Ethical Awards
Best Community Energy Project

Winner
Low Carbon City Team/Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) and PEC Renewables

 2015

MJ Awards
Innovation in Finance Enabling Community Share Capital

Finalist
Low Carbon City Team/Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) and PEC Renewables

 2015

IESE Improvement and Efficiency Awards
Enabling Community Share Capital

Winner
Low Carbon City Team/Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) and PEC Renewables

 2015

Herald Business Awards
Green Business of the Year

Finalist
Low Carbon City Team/Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) and PEC Renewables

 2015

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Construction Excellence Awards South West Regionals
Best Change of Use of An Existing Property

Highly commended 
Former Thai Palace, HSK Developments

 2015

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Construction Excellence Awards South West Regionals
Best Social Housing or Affordable New Housing Development

Highly commended 
Honeyford Close, Ryearch

 2015

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Construction Excellence Awards South West Regionals
LABC Site Supervisor of the Year

Winner 
Andy Shepherd, Kier Construction

 2015

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Construction Excellence Awards South West Regionals
Best Inclusive Building

Winner 
The Endeavour Building, HMS Drake, HM Naval Base, Plymouth Capita

 2015

2014

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

National Transport Awards
Partnership Team of the Year

Shortlisted
Plymouth's Dial A Ride

 2014

Abercrombie Awards
Best New Housing Project

Winner
George House

 2014

UK Community Energy Awards
Volunteer of the Year

Winner
Low Carbon City Team/Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) and PEC Renewables

 2014

UK Community Energy Awards
Best Community Energy Start Up

Finalist
Low Carbon City Team/Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) and PEC Renewables

 2014

UK Social Enterprise Awards
Investment Deal of the Year

Winner
Low Carbon City Team/Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) and PEC Renewables

 2014

Green Energy Awards
Best Community Initiative

Winner
Low Carbon City Team/Plymouth Energy Community (PEC)and PEC Renewables

 2014

Green Energy Awards
Most Proactive Local Authority

Finalist
Low Carbon City Team/Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) and PEC Renewables

 2014

Abercrombie Awards
Best Green Project

Winner
Low Carbon City Team/Plymouth Energy Community (PEC) and PEC Renewables

 2014

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Construction Excellence Awards South West Regionals
Best Local Builder or Traditional Craftsman

Highly commended 
Ryearch

 2014

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Construction Excellence Awards South West Regionals
Best Social or Affordable New Housing Development

Highly commended
St Pauls Court, Efford, Plymouth

 2014

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Construction Excellence Awards South West Regionals
Site Supervisor of the Year

Winner
Rob Gutteridge, Positive Building Services

 2014

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Construction Excellence Awards South West Regionals
Best LABC Partnership with a Local Authority Building Control Team

Winner
Gillespie Yunnie Architects and Plymouth Building Control Partnership

 2014

2013

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

Empty Homes Network Awards
Most Innovative Intervention

Winner
Bringing Empty Homes Into Use

 2013

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Construction Excellence Awards South West Regionals
Best Large Housing Development

Winner
Kinterbury Square and Foulston Avenue

 2013

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Construction Excellence Awards South West Regionals
Best Community Building

Winner
Plymouth Life Centre

 2013

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Construction Excellence Awards South West RegionalsBest Technical Innovation

Winner
Marine Research Building, Plymouth

 2013

2012

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

Chartered Institute of Housing Awards
UK Large Housing Schemes Development of the Year

Winner
George House

 2012

2011

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning ExcellenceOther Planning Work Category

Commended
Saltram Countryside Park Masterplan and Delivery Plan

 2011

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning ExcellenceOther Planning Work Category

Commended
Market Recovery Scheme

 2011

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning ExcellenceSchemes on the Ground Category

Commended
St Aubyns Church, Devonport, Plymouth

 2011

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning ExcellenceSchemes on the Ground Category

Commended
High View School, Efford, Plymouth

 2011

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning ExcellencePlanning for Business Category

Finalist
Market Recovery Scheme

 2011

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence
Planning for Business Category

Commended
Market Recovery Scheme

 2011

2010

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation Awards
CIHT/Department for Transport Awards

Highly commended
West End Public Realm Improvement Scheme

 2010

National LABC Built In Quality Awards
Best Social/Affordable Housing Development

Winner
Ker Street Phase 1 Housing Scheme, Devonport, Plymouth

 2010
Building for Life Gold Awards

Winner
Cargo, Millbay, Plymouth

 2010

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence
On the Ground

Commended
Granby Green and Cumberland Gardens in Devonport, Plymouth

 2010

2009

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date
Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) National Awards Your Place, Your Future 2009

2008

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

Michelmores and Western Morning News Commercial Property Awards
Building of the Year

Winner
Salt Quay House, Plymouth

 2008

Landscape Institute Awards
Urban Design and Masterplanning Award

Commended
Ker Street

 2008

Landscape Institute Awards
Communications and Presentation Award

Commended
West End Vision and Implementation

 2008

LGC Awards National Awards for Local Government
Regeneration Award

Winner
The East End Community Village

 2008
Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence Your Place, Your Future 2008

Regeneration and Renewal Awards
Mixed Use Project of the Year

Highly commended 
Cattedown Mixed Use Scheme

 2008

The South West Planning Awards for Community Involvement
Best Practice Community Involvement by Local Authority or Government Agency

 Your Place, Your Future 2008

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) South West Region Built in Quality Awards
Best Accessible Building

 Astor Court Extra Care Scheme, Cattedown, Plymouth 2008

2007

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

Regeneration and Renewal Awards
Best Use of Planning in Regeneration

 Master Plan for the Regeneration of Devonport 2007

Housing Design Awards
Exhibition of Excellence

 Millbay, Millbay Road planning application 2007

2006

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) Building for Life Gold Standard for Gun Wharf 2006

2005

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence
Silver Jubilee Cup

 Local Development Framework 2005
Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence Planning Process - Local Development Framework - Implementation 2005
Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence

Commended
Other planning work for Local Development Framework

 2005
National Housing Design Awards

Winner 
Royal William Yard - Clarence and Brewhouse

 2005
Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) Awards

Commended
High Quality Architecture and Design for Mackay Vision, Armada Way Public Realm, Design Manager, Design Champion and Design Panel

 2005

2004

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

Westcountry Publications
Abercrombie Award

 Restoration of Smeaton's Tower 2004

2002

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date
South West Britain in Bloom Awards Britain in Bloom - Bath Trophy for Plymouth in the floral campaign to beautify our west country cities, towns and villages 2002
British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) Awards Landscape Design - Marshmills Roundabout, Plymouth for Landscape Architect and Clients 2002

2000

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

Green Apple Awards
Unitary Authorities National Gold Winner

 Community Planning Studies 2000

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence
Philip Barclay Cup and Commemorative Plaque

 Plymouth Stonehouse Peninsula Development 2000

1996

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

British Urban Renewal Association (BURA) Awards
Secretary of State's Award

 Partnership in regeneration with Sutton Harbour 1996

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence
Philip Barclay Cup and Commemorative Plaque

 Notre Dame Development 1996

1993

Award/category

Outcome/submission

Date

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence
Philip Barclay Cup and Commemorative Plaque

 Western Morning News Development 1993