The Planning team at Ridge has been named as a finalist in the category for Excellence in Planning for a Successful Economy at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2021.

The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are the most established and respected awards in the UK planning industry. Running for over 40 years, they celebrate exceptional examples of planning and the contribution planners make to society.

The submission by Ridge related to the new Headquarters building for CABI; a not for profit organisation which tackles global issues including poverty, hunger, education, climate change, biodiversity and equality.

Ridge was responsible for submitting negotiating the application through to a successful outcome. The new HQ building will provide a high quality, sustainable, all-inclusive office facility, which will provide opportunities for jobs and training. Significantly, the provision of this HQ building will ensure the retention and support of this international organisation within Wallingford, whose objective is to promote global equality and diversity. Environmentally, the approved scheme contributes towards the aim of protecting and enhancing the natural, built and historic environment.

RTPI President Wei Yang FRTPI said:

“Many congratulations to all the finalists at this year’s RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence – these projects, teams and individuals showcase the very best of the planning profession from all the RTPI’s regions and nations and from countries around the world.

“For over 40 years, these prestigious awards have celebrated the exceptional work undertaken by town planners. In the middle of a global pandemic, I believe they are more relevant than ever before, recognising the incredible commitment and dedication of planners who have risen to the challenge of responding to the impacts of Covid-19 on the planning system.

“I wish all the finalists the very best of luck at the ceremony on 29 April.”

Sarah Elliott MRTPI, UK&I Town Planning Lead for Buildings + Places at AECOM, said:

“AECOM is proud to once again be a headline sponsor of this year’s RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence. The finalists are a diverse mixture of outstanding examples of planning, including new responses driven by the pandemic and climate change. Once again this demonstrates the breadth of the impact the profession has on quality place making and delivery in the built environment, alongside our resilience to evolve and adapt.”

The winners will be announced during a ceremony held virtually in the Awards Room on Evessio at 4pm on Thursday 29 April 2021.