Now in their 12th year, the Planning Awards recognise outstanding work by councils, consultants, developers, lawyers, voluntary groups and other important players in UK planning and placemaking.
Two of Prior + Partners’ projects have been shortlisted as part of the programme’s Placemaking Awards, which recognizes excellence in planning-related activities such as placemaking, urban design, economic development, housing, regeneration, legal advice and environmental consulting.
The first of these is Smithfield Birmingham, which has been shortlisted for the Placemaking Award for Regeneration.
Over the past five years, Lendlease in collaboration with Birmingham City Council and a Prior + Partners led multi-faceted design team, have brought together a comprehensive and distinct masterplan for the £1.9bn regeneration of Smithfield Birmingham which blends history with modern urban needs.
The nomination recognises the scheme’s approach to addressing Birmingham’s housing needs through the delivery of 3,000+ much needed and affordable homes including inner-city family housing, and with 9,000 jobs created through new cultural, community and commercial spaces. Weaving these together is an extensive green infrastructure network including 2ha of open spaces, promoting walkability and zero-carbon living.
What further sets Smithfield Birmingham apart is its design which evolved over time and is truly a shared vision between the public and private sector as well as wider stakeholders and community. The client team have also been committed to delivering social value from day one through local sponsorships and volunteering, whilst a meanwhile strategy and a considered phasing approach ensures public benefits are being delivered at every stage.
Also nominated for the Placemaking Award for Regeneration category is Oxpens, a joint venture between Oxford City Council and Nuffield College. Representing one of the largest interventions to take place in the historic city of Oxford, Prior + Partners’ planning team have been deeply embedded throughout the project’s journey, and supported the client and masterplanner Hawkins/Brown through our provision of strategic and client planning advisory services which led to outline and detailed planning consent being granted in January 2025.
Located near the expanding main train station, the ambitious Oxpens development will transform an existing car park and former sidings into a new city quarter, bringing homes, jobs, extensive public realm and increased connectivity to the area.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on the 11th June at IET London: Savoy Place.
To find out more about the awards and those nominated, please visit – Homepage – Planning Awards
