Pictured above: Peter Jones of AWM accepts the RTPI award
from Richard Summers, RTPI President 2011
A waste infrastructure support tool developed to help promote a
low carbon economy has won a coveted Royal Town Planning Institute
(RTPI) award.
The tool was developed on behalf of the regional development
agency, Advantage West Midlands (AWM), by global real estate
services firm DTZ, together with environmental consultants, SLR
Consulting. The project was victorious within the 'Spatial
Strategies' category at the RTPI awards ceremony held at the London
Hilton, Park Lane on Thursday 3 February.
Working closely with AWM, DTZ and SLR Consulting developed a
location analysis tool which provides a coherent approach to
diverting waste from landfill across the West Midlands. It
identifies 'hot spots' of opportunity where key waste treatment and
recycling infrastructure can be deployed to reduce the amount of
waste sent to landfill, support local businesses to manage their
waste more efficiently, and assist in the development of a low
carbon economy.
The RTPI judges praised the tool's ability to provide detailed
maps and location shortlists that enable developers and planners to
quickly identify areas of opportunity. According to the judges
comments: 'The approach brings a clear and consistent methodology
that helps to breed confidence in the planning process. The quality
of the professional work involved in the development of planning
concepts, implementation of the analysis and formulation of the
strategy has been excellent.'
Richard Howard, Associate Director at DTZ in development
consulting, said: "We are delighted that our hard work has been
recognised with this prestigious award win. The development of
waste treatment infrastructure is crucial in delivering against the
UK's EU landfill diversion obligations. The waste and energy
sectors are two of the more buoyant areas of the property industry
and DTZ is currently advising on a number of potential waste and
energy projects across the country."
Mark Pearce, Corporate Director at Advantage West Midlands,
said: "We are delighted that our work to support the waste and
resource industry in the West Midlands has been recognised with
this national award.
"We couldn't have done this without the support and input of
waste businesses and local authorities from across the region.
"The principles are adaptable and replicable elsewhere - and we
hope the rest of the country can take advantage in future of the
work we have done."
The annual RTPI awards celebrate the best planning projects from
across the UK and Ireland.