The judges said that the New Cambridge Mosque project, submitted by Bidwells Planning, represented the ‘pinnacle of public involvement, learning and understanding for planning professionals’.
The award was announced at a ceremony at the University Arms in Cambridge, attended by more than 100 planning professionals from across the East of England.
Former RTPI East of England regional chair David Potter acted as convenor of the judging panel. He said: “The New Cambridge Mosque is an excellent example of the development of an impressive community facility. The final innovative design followed extensive planning and public consultation. Careful construction on site and attention to landscaping and other details have resulted in a building that will become a cultural and physical landmark in the area.”
Two other shortlisted schemes were highly commended by the judges – the Marmalade Lane Co-housing project in Cambridge (submitted by TOWN) was described as‘inspirational’, while the Stradbroke Neighbourhood Plan in Suffolk (submitted by Stradbroke Parish Council, AECOM and Navigus Planning) was said to highlight the important role that neighbourhood planning can play.
The Maurice Hellier Award, presented annually to the student judged to have achieved the best overall academic performance on a planning course at Anglia Ruskin University, was awarded to 38-year-old Samuel Walker from Norwich.
The award event was one of a series of regional RTPI awards ceremonies around the country recognising outstanding projects that demonstrate the power of planning in transforming communities.
Bidwells Planning will join other overall winners from regions around the country at the RTPI’s prestigious national Awards for Planning Excellence ceremony, to be held in London on 30 April 2020.