Greater Cambridge Shared Planning has been crowned Planning Authority of the Year at last night’s prestigious Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence.
This nationwide recognition celebrates the service’s outstanding commitment to delivering high-quality planning for local communities, supporting sustainable growth, and shaping places where people can thrive.
The award follows a year of significant achievements for Greater Cambridge Shared Planning (GCSP) – which is a partnership between Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District councils. It comes after GCSP was crowned Planning Authority of the Year - East of England at the local RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence earlier this year.
The national RTPI award follows a compelling nomination that showcased the service’s transformative work across Greater Cambridge, including its approaches to biodiversity, youth engagement, and digital innovation. Among other councils nominated were the City of Edinburgh Council and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Highlights from the last year
Some of the past year’s highlights from GCSP’s award-winning work are:
- Advancing several digital planning initiatives. This includes creating an artificial intelligence tool to speed up the assessment of local views on policy documents, improving online information through a brand new GCSP website and developing analysis tools using a digital 3D model of Cambridge to enable faster, better-informed decisions. On Monday, consultation begins on the draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which also adopts an improved user-friendly approach using interactive maps.
- Biodiversity Net Gain leadership, with the service proactively securing more than 200 hectares of habitat for biodiversity offsetting, ahead of national policy requirements. This project won the ‘Planning for the Natural Environment Award’ at the Planning Magazine Awards 2025.
- Its multi-award-winning Youth Engagement Service, which is an internationally recognised programme giving young people a voice in town planning and design, having won the Social Value Award in 2025’s Thornton Education Trust Inspire Future Generations competition.
- Inclusive planning: Through initiatives like the Cambridge Neighbourhoods Design Code project, GCSP is tackling inequality and improving access to green spaces in some of the region’s most deprived areas.
- Apprenticeship and talent development: A structured programme supporting future planners through hands-on experience and academic study, ensuring a strong pipeline of planning professionals.
Cllr Dr. Tumi Hawkins, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “Winning this award is a fantastic achievement and clear evidence that our shared planning service is providing an exceptional level of support for residents. It reflects the dedication and expertise of our teams, who work tirelessly to ensure planning decisions help create vibrant, sustainable communities. This recognition shows Greater Cambridge is leading the way nationally in planning excellence.”
Cllr Katie Thornburrow, Cambridge City Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport, added: “This award demonstrates the strength of our partnership and the quality of service we deliver every day. Our planners are committed to listening to residents, protecting our unique environment, and enabling the homes and infrastructure our communities need. Being named Planning Authority of the Year confirms that Greater Cambridge is setting the standard for planning services across the country.”
A track record of winning awards
The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are among the most respected accolades in the profession, celebrating outstanding contributions to planning and placemaking. Other awards won by Greater Cambridge Shared Planning this year include the Award for Planning for Natural Environment at the Planning Magazine Awards, the Social Value Award at the 2025 Thornton Education Trust Inspire Future Generations Competition and being named Planning Authority of the Year – East of England at the local RTPI Awards. Several planning officers have also won national awards for their expertise during the past year too.
