The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence highlight exceptional examples of planning and celebrate the contribution that planners and planning make to society.
The team has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Employer Award for Excellence and also the Planning to Deliver Housing Award.
They will find out if they are winners at the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence ceremony which will be on Monday 6 July in London, hosted by the Rt Hon Nick Raynsford.
The Bidwells entry of 'Developing Our Future Programme' was picked as a finalist for the Employer Award for Excellence, while the Chelmsford City Park West project was shortlisted for the finals of the Excellence in Planning to Deliver Housing Award.
Following the announcement Mike Derbyshire, Head of Planning said: "I am delighted that the excellent work of the Bidwells' Planning Team has been recognised through being shortlisted as finalists for these awards.
"Planning impacts on all areas of life from the economy to the environment, society and the community it creates, therefore I am exceptionally proud that the work of our team has been recognised."
Marcia Whitehead, Planning Team Leader, Cambridge added: "It is extremely pleasing that we have been nominated for the Employer Award for Excellence. Bidwells recognises that its most important assets is the quality of its people, which is why we set up our Developing Our Future Programme. The programme aims to build and grow the depth of talent we have in our Firm."
The City Park West development was a challenging and complicated project submitted on behalf of Genesis Housing Association, which involved the redevelopment on the former Anglia Ruskin University Central Campus. It has already delivered 219 dwellings, the restoration of a Grade II listed building and other historic buildings and 4,400 square metres of commercial floorspace. The commencement of a further 386 dwellings is now underway following confirmation of Homes and Communities Agency funding.
Ray Houghton, Planning Team Leader, Chelmsford said: "The combined two phases of this ambitious scheme represent a £170m investment by Genesis in Chelmsford.
"In the longer term, the balance of economic, social and environmental improvements will be evidenced by the provision of quality commercial accommodation and a mix of shared ownership and rented dwellings. This development has been hailed as Exemplar by Chelmsford City Council with the completed Phase 1 already providing a halo effect on inward investment in the locality."
The development is one of the most sustainable developments approved by the city council. The short-term benefits for the public are the replacement of a large vacant site in the centre of Chelmsford with over 600 high quality homes and commercial floor space in a highly sustainable central location.
He added: "We are all delighted that the years of hard work invested in making this an exceptional project, has been recognised by the RTPI judging board."
Janet Askew, President of the Royal Town Planning Institute said: “The shortlist reflects the very best planning projects, strategies and processes that are helping to make great places for people to live and work. The 80 finalists highlight exceptional examples of planning that have made an impact and brought considerable benefits. "It will be a tremendous challenge picking individual category winners from such a high quality field.”
For more information visit the RTPI website.
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