Enter Now - Building London Planning Awards
The Building London Planning Awards, supported by the Mayor of London, and in partnership with the BAME Planners Network, the Planning Officers Society and RTPI London, celebrate and champion outstanding town planning and creative development from across London’s built environment sector.
It’s free to enter, so why not submit multiple entries?
How to submit
Entries are submitted via the online form. Click on the category links below to bring up the eligibility, criteria and entry form for each category.
Useful links: Judges’ entry tips | Entry FAQs | Meet the judging panel | Judging process
When submitting your entry, please note:
- Each category has its own unique entry form and judging criteria.
- We strongly suggest typing your 750 word executive statement in Word or a similar app before pasting it into the entry form — this allows you to perfect your entry, check it against the category criteria and ensure spelling and grammar are correct before you submit.
- You must stick to the stated word limit for each question.
- Supporting materials do not contribute towards your entry score. You can submit supporting materials to offer clarity or provide further information, but be sure to include all priority information within the executive statement of your entry.
CATEGORIES FOR 2025
Best Borough-Led Project Judging criteria
Category intro
This award recognises projects or initiatives that have been implemented by a London borough, either on its own or in partnership with a private or community organisation. Entries should show how the project has delivered lasting change either at a community, neighbourhood or borough-wide level. Projects can include physical interventions such as public realm works, estate regeneration and community/public buildings, place-making strategies and plan-led spatial strategies, such as area-based masterplans, or innovative policy or guidance documents to support a Local Plan.
This award will be given to the entry that most clearly communicates how a project or initiative has delivered positive change to the physical or environmental quality of an area, and/or its economic and social make-up.
Who should enter?
London boroughs or private organisations or community organisations working in partnership with a London borough.
Eligibility
If relevant, planning permission for the project must have been granted no earlier than January 2015, and works must have progressed sufficiently on site for the judges to be able to assess its implementation, ideally to the point of being substantially complete or at least partially in use.
Planning permission for a project or scheme can either be full planning permission, or reserved matters approval pursuant to an outline permission.
If relevant, a policy document must have been adopted no earlier than 2023. As part of your entry you will be encouraged to demonstrate evidence of impact and any estimated or delivered results.
PR & Media Agencies please note:
If you are submitting an entry on behalf of your client, you must submit your client’s details — including contact information – as part of the entry process. We reserve the right to withdraw any entry that does not provide the entrant company’s details within the submission. If you have any concerns, please contact us at events@businessldn.co.uk before submitting the entry.
Judging criteria
When reviewing your entry judges want to know why this project should win, why it stands out and why it is innovative. Specifically, the judges will be looking for evidence of:
- How the authority has undertaken innovative and proactive forward planning.
- How the authority has proactively worked in partnership with the private sector, other organisations and the local community in the local area.
- Public funds having been used effectively to achieve best value.
- A positive impact on the environmental, economic and social well-being of the community and local area.
- How the project performed against expectations and the original brief.
- Challenges faced and how these were overcome.
- A clear occupier or community focus, with a deep understanding of their needs and how to meet, and exceed, those needs.
- What the estimated longer-term sustainability legacy of the project is. Please consider social, economic and environmental factors in your response.
- Equality, diversity and inclusion considerations made throughout the design, development and delivery of the project.
Best Borough-Led Project Entry form
Best Mixed-Use Project Judging criteria
Category intro
This category recognises schemes that have successfully balanced a complex mix of uses, such as commercial and residential, through good design principles. Judges will be looking for design innovation in the multi-layering of uses in a single building or the co-location of different uses in a masterplan or urban block.
Who should enter?
The award will be given to a specific project or scheme – so any parties involved in the conception, planning, design, development, implementation and management of the project can submit the entry, but we expect the submission to focus on how the planning has been instrumental to the project’s success. As part of the submission, we require entrants to state all key collaborators and parties involved in the delivery of the project.
Eligibility
Planning permission for the project must have been granted no earlier than January 2015, and works must have progressed sufficiently on site for the judges to be able to assess its implementation, ideally to the point of being substantially complete or at least partially in use.
Planning permission for a project or scheme can either be full planning permission, or reserved matters approval pursuant to an outline permission.
As part of your entry you will be encouraged to demonstrate evidence of impact and any estimated or delivered results.
PR & Media Agencies please note:
If you are submitting an entry on behalf of your client, you must submit your client’s details — including contact information – as part of the entry process. We reserve the right to withdraw any entry that does not provide the entrant company’s details within the submission. If you have any concerns, please contact us at events@businessldn.co.uk before submitting the entry.
Judging criteria
When reviewing your entry judges want to know why this project should win, why it stands out and why it is innovative. Specifically, the judges will be looking for evidence of:
- A diverse mix of uses that responds well to its context, creating a sense of place.
- An innovative design approach to the multi-layering of uses in a single building or the co-location of different uses in a masterplan or urban block.
- A positive impact on the environmental, economic and social well-being of the community and local area.
- How the project performed against expectations and the original brief.
- Challenges faced and how these were overcome.
- A clear occupier or community focus, with a deep understanding of their needs and how to meet, and exceed, those needs.
- What the estimated longer-term sustainability legacy of the project is. Please consider social, economic and environmental factors in your response.
- The equality, diversity and inclusion considerations made throughout the design, development and delivery of the project.
Best Mixed-Use Project Entry form
Best New Place to Live Judging criteria
Category intro
This award is for residential schemes of all sizes that are well designed to provide high quality places to live and contribute to successful place making. Judges will also take into consideration opportunities to optimise affordable housing delivery (where relevant) and contribute to mixed, sustainable communities that maximise links to infrastructure and services.
Who should enter?
The award will be given to a specific project or scheme – so any parties involved in the conception, planning, design, development, implementation and management of the project can submit the entry, but we expect the submission to focus on how the planning has been instrumental to the project’s success. As part of the submission, we require entrants to state all key collaborators and parties involved in the delivery of the project.
Eligibility
Planning permission for the project must have been granted no earlier than January 2015, and works must have progressed sufficiently on site for the judges to be able to assess its implementation, ideally to the point of being substantially complete or at least partially in use.
Planning permission for a project or scheme can either be full planning permission, or reserved matters approval pursuant to an outline permission.
As part of your entry you will be encouraged to demonstrate evidence of impact and any estimated or delivered results.
PR & Media Agencies please note:
If you are submitting an entry on behalf of your client, you must submit your client’s details — including contact information – as part of the entry process. We reserve the right to withdraw any entry that does not provide the entrant company’s details within the submission. If you have any concerns, please contact us at events@businessldn.co.uk before submitting the entry.
Judging criteria
When reviewing your entry judges want to know why this project should win, why it stands out and why it is innovative. Specifically, the judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Good quality and desirable homes, that respond well to their context.
- Homes that optimise access to a range of facilities and amenities, infrastructure and public transport.
- How the project performed against expectations and the original brief.
- The challenges faced and how these were overcome.
- A clear occupier or community focus, with a deep understanding of their needs and how to meet, and exceed, those needs.
- What the estimated longer-term sustainability legacy of the project is. Please consider social, economic and environmental factors in your response.
- The equality, diversity and inclusion considerations made throughout the design, development and delivery of the project.
Best New Place to Live Entry form
Best New Place to Work Judging criteria
Category intro
This award is open to all types of workspaces, from offices to workshops to industrial units. Judges will be looking for well-designed schemes which create good quality, inclusive working environments and that support modern ways of working across all sectors of the economy.
Who should enter?
The award will be given to a specific project or scheme – so any parties involved in the conception, planning, design, development, implementation and management of the project can submit the entry, but we expect the submission to focus on how the planning has been instrumental to the project’s success. As part of the submission, we require entrants to state all key collaborators and parties involved in the delivery of the project.
Eligibility
Planning permission for the project must have been granted no earlier than January 2015, and works must have progressed sufficiently on site for the judges to be able to assess its implementation, ideally to the point of being substantially complete or at least partially in use.
Planning permission for a project or scheme can either be full planning permission, or reserved matters approval pursuant to an outline permission.
As part of your entry you will be encouraged to demonstrate evidence of impact and any estimated or delivered results.
PR & Media Agencies please note:
If you are submitting an entry on behalf of your client, you must submit your client’s details — including contact information – as part of the entry process. We reserve the right to withdraw any entry that does not provide the entrant company’s details within the submission. If you have any concerns, please contact us at events@businessldn.co.uk before submitting the entry.
Judging criteria
When reviewing your entry judges want to know why this project should win, why it stands out and why it is innovative. Specifically, the judges will be looking for evidence of:
- A place of work that responds well to its context and creates a high-quality public realm.
- A high-quality internal working environment, including on-site facilities that promote well-being and inclusivity.
- A place of work that encourages access by walking, cycling and public transport.
- A project that achieves high environmental standards for construction and occupation.
- How the project performed against expectations and the original brief.
- The challenges faced and how these were overcome.
- What the estimated longer-term sustainability legacy of the project is. Please consider social, economic and environmental factors in your response.
- The equality, diversity and inclusion considerations made throughout the design, development and delivery of the project.
Best New Place to Work Entry form
Best Retrofit Project Judging criteria
Category intro
This category recognises the sustainability benefits of repurposing an existing building or buildings. Entries can be from any sector, and comprise any uses, but must retain a significant proportion of existing building fabric. Judges will be looking for projects that demonstrate significant environmental benefits as well as social and economic sustainability considerations.
Who should enter?
The award will be given to a specific project or scheme – so any parties involved in the conception, planning, design, development, implementation and management of the project can submit the entry, but we expect the submission to focus on how the planning has been instrumental to the project’s success. As part of the submission, we require entrants to state all key collaborators and parties involved in the delivery of the project.
Eligibility
Planning permission for the project must have been granted no earlier than January 2015, and works must have progressed sufficiently on site for the judges to be able to assess its implementation, ideally to the point of being substantially complete or at least partially in use.
Planning permission for a project or scheme can either be full planning permission, or reserved matters approval pursuant to an outline permission.
As part of your entry you will be encouraged to demonstrate evidence of impact and any estimated or delivered results.
PR & Media Agencies please note:
If you are submitting an entry on behalf of your client, you must submit your client’s details — including contact information – as part of the entry process. We reserve the right to withdraw any entry that does not provide the entrant company’s details within the submission. If you have any concerns, please contact us at events@businessldn.co.uk before submitting the entry.
Judging criteria
When reviewing your entry judges want to know why this project should win, why it stands out and why it is innovative. Specifically, the judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Why the design team choose retrofit over redevelopment.
- The carbon and other environmental benefits arising from the decision to retrofit over redevelopment.
- The broader economic and social sustainability considerations.
- How the project performed against expectations and the original brief.
- The challenges faced and how these were overcome.
- An ongoing commitment to consistent quality, and that this project not just a one-off.
- What the estimated longer-term sustainability legacy of the project is. Please consider social, economic and environmental factors in your response.
- The equality, diversity and inclusion considerations made throughout the design, development and delivery of the project.
Best Retrofit Project Entry form
Infrastructure Planning Award Judging criteria
Category intro
This category recognises the crucial role that infrastructure plays in both facilitating new development and underpinning the smooth running of London as a capital city. Entries could take a variety of forms and across a range of scales from a major new transport project to local high street improvements and could also include the modernisation of existing infrastructure.
Who should enter?
The award will be given to a specific project or scheme – so any parties involved in the conception, planning, design, development, implementation and management of the project can submit the entry, but we expect the submission to focus on how the planning has been instrumental to the project’s success. As part of the submission, we require entrants to state all key collaborators and parties involved in the delivery of the project.
Eligibility
Planning permission for the project must have been granted no earlier than January 2015, and works must have progressed sufficiently on site for the judges to be able to assess its implementation, ideally to the point of being substantially complete or at least partially in use.
Planning permission for a project or scheme can either be full planning permission, or reserved matters approval pursuant to an outline permission.
As part of your entry you will be encouraged to demonstrate evidence of impact and any estimated or delivered results.
PR & Media Agencies please note:
If you are submitting an entry on behalf of your client, you must submit your client’s details — including contact information – as part of the entry process. We reserve the right to withdraw any entry that does not provide the entrant company’s details within the submission. If you have any concerns, please contact us at events@businessldn.co.uk before submitting the entry.
Judging criteria
When reviewing your entry judges want to know why this project should win, why it stands out and why it is innovative. Specifically, the judges will be looking for evidence of:
- The need for the project and the problem it is trying to solve.
- Effective partnerships between the private and public sectors, other organisations and/or the local community.
- Effective use of public funds and private sector investment to achieve best value.
- How the project performed against expectations and the original brief.
- The challenges faced and how these were overcome.
- A clear occupier or community focus, with a deep understanding of their needs and how to meet, and exceed, those needs.
- What the estimated longer-term sustainability legacy of the project is. Please consider social, economic and environmental factors in your response.
- The equality, diversity and inclusion considerations made throughout the design, development and delivery of the project.
Infrastructure Planning Award Entry form
Placemaking, Heritage & Culture Award Judging criteria
Category intro
Open to any projects with significant placemaking, heritage and/or cultural significance. This could include small scale projects that have had a significant impact on a local community through to projects of London-wide and even national importance. The judges will be looking for demonstrable community benefits aligned with the scale of the project and a well-considered, longer-term legacy for the project. Examples include the refurbishment of listed buildings, community hubs, public realm projects and schemes that contribute to the cultural significance of London such as arts and music venues, film studios and sports facilities.
Who should enter?
The award will be given to a specific project or scheme – so any parties involved in the conception, planning, design, development, implementation and management of the project can submit the entry, but we expect the submission to focus on how the planning has been instrumental to the project’s success. As part of the submission, we require entrants to state all key collaborators and parties involved in the delivery of the project.
Eligibility
Planning permission for the project must have been granted no earlier than January 2015, and works must have progressed sufficiently on site for the judges to be able to assess its implementation, ideally to the point of being substantially complete or at least partially in use.
Planning permission for a project or scheme can either be full planning permission, or reserved matters approval pursuant to an outline permission.
As part of your entry you will be encouraged to demonstrate evidence of impact and any estimated or delivered results.
PR & Media Agencies please note:
If you are submitting an entry on behalf of your client, you must submit your client’s details — including contact information – as part of the entry process. We reserve the right to withdraw any entry that does not provide the entrant company’s details within the submission. If you have any concerns, please contact us at events@businessldn.co.uk before submitting the entry.
Judging criteria
When reviewing your entry judges want to know why this project should win, why it stands out and why it is innovative. Specifically, the judges will be looking for evidence of:
- A positive contribution to the local community and/or London on a broader scale (where relevant), including benefits for businesses, residents and visitors, including contributing to London’s environmental and net zero goals.
- Effective partnerships between the private and public sectors, other organisations and/or the local community.
- Genuine public benefit in terms of accessibility, culture and/or education.
- How the project performed against expectations and the original brief.
- The challenges faced and how these were overcome.
- What the estimated longer-term sustainability legacy of the project is. Please consider social, economic and environmental factors in your response.
- The equality, diversity and inclusion considerations made throughout the design, development and delivery of the project.
Placemaking, Heritage & Culture Award Entry form
Sustainable Planning Award Judging criteria
Category intro
This category recognises projects that demonstrate strong sustainability credentials across the three pillars of economic, environmental and social sustainability. Entries could include buildings, policy documents and sustainability projects more broadly, for example carbon management to reach net-zero targets, innovative construction methods, biodiversity, urban greening and social value.
Who should enter?
The award will be given to a specific project or scheme – so any parties involved in the conception, planning, design, development, implementation and management of the project can submit the entry, but we expect the submission to focus on how the planning has been instrumental to the project’s success. As part of the submission, we require entrants to state all key collaborators and parties involved in the delivery of the project.
Eligibility
If relevant, planning permission for the project must have been granted no earlier than January 2015, and works must have progressed sufficiently on site for the judges to be able to assess its implementation, ideally to the point of being substantially complete or at least partially in use.
Planning permission for a project or scheme can either be full planning permission, or reserved matters approval pursuant to an outline permission. If relevant, a policy document must have been adopted no earlier than 2023.
As part of your entry you will be encouraged to demonstrate evidence of impact and any estimated or delivered results.
PR & Media Agencies please note:
If you are submitting an entry on behalf of your client, you must submit your client’s details — including contact information – as part of the entry process. We reserve the right to withdraw any entry that does not provide the entrant company’s details within the submission. If you have any concerns, please contact us at events@businessldn.co.uk before submitting the entry.
Judging criteria
When reviewing your entry judges want to know why this project should win, why it stands out and why it is innovative. Specifically, the judges will be looking for evidence of:
- The project meeting or exceeding policy expectations in terms of environmental standards.
- How the project maximises opportunities to improve biodiversity and access to the natural environment.
- How the project contributes towards improving air quality in the city.
- How the project supports social and physical health and well-being.
- Challenges faced and how these were overcome.
- A clear occupier or community focus, with a deep understanding of their needs and how to meet, and exceed, those needs.
- What the estimated longer-term sustainability legacy of the project is. Please consider social, economic and environmental factors in your response.
- The equality, diversity and inclusion considerations made throughout the design, development and delivery of the project.
Sustainable Planning Award Entry form
Innovation in Action Award Judging criteria
Category intro
This category recognises digital and technology innovation that has contributed to the modernisation of the planning system. This could include, but is not limited to, products or digital services that improve the development management system, the preparation or interpretation of policy documents or digital consultation platforms.
Judges will be looking for tangible results and value gained from such initiatives.
Who should enter?
This category is open to both technology suppliers who are disrupting the real estate sector with their product(s), and to planning departments and services using technology in innovative ways for the benefit of their end users.
Eligibility
As part of your entry you will be asked to demonstrate evidence of results delivered (not estimated) — the technology, or use of technology, must therefore have been implemented long enough to have delivered measurable impact.
PR & Media Agencies please note:
If you are submitting an entry on behalf of your client, you must submit your client’s details — including contact information – as part of the entry process. We reserve the right to withdraw any entry that does not provide the entrant company’s details within the submission. If you have any concerns, please contact us at events@businessldn.co.uk before submitting the entry.
Judging criteria
When reviewing your entry judges want to know why it should win, what makes it stand out and why it is innovative. Specifically, the judges will be looking for evidence of:
- What drove the need for innovation in the first place?
- How has the project or technology directly (and indirectly) impacted the end-user?
- How the project or technology performed against expectations and the original brief.
- What is the potential for further innovation and broader, transformative impact for the sector?
- The challenges faced and how these were overcome.
- Whether the technology offers longer-term social, economic and environmental benefits.
- The equality, diversity and inclusion considerations made throughout the design, development and implementation of the tech.
Innovation in Action Award Entry form
New Planner of the Year (less than 10 years’ service) Judging criteria
Category intro
This category recognises emerging talent across the public and private sectors.
Judges will be looking for a rising star with the skills and tenacity to be a respected planner and have a meaningful impact on the sector longer term.
As part of our commitment to innovation within the planning sector, the winner of this award will automatically be invited to join the judging panel for the Building London Planning Awards in 2026.
Who should enter?
We accept both nominations and self-submitted entries for this award, so if you are – or know someone – who has made a significant contribution within their first few years of entering the planning sector, we want to hear from you!
Eligibility
Entrants must have started, with the planning sector being their sole focus of work, no earlier than January 2015. You will be asked to confirm this as part of your entry.
PR & Media Agencies please note:
If you are submitting an entry on behalf of your client, you must submit your client’s details — including contact information – as part of the entry process. We reserve the right to withdraw any entry that does not provide the entrant company’s details within the submission. If you have any concerns, please contact us at events@businessldn.co.uk before submitting the entry.
Judging criteria
When reviewing your entry judges will want to know why this individual should win and what makes them stand out. If you are putting yourself forward for this award do not be shy in stating your achievements. Specifically, judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Outstanding achievements in the field of planning.
- A bold and ambitious leadership vision with a focus on innovation and/or positive disruption of the sector.
- Challenges faced and how these were overcome.
- A solid understanding of community / client needs and planning as a force for good.
- How the individual has prioritised social, economic and environmental sustainability issues.
- A continued commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in their work.
- Strong third-party testimonials from colleagues, clients and peers.
New Planner of the Year (less than 10 years’ service) Entry form
Outstanding Contribution Judging criteria and submissions
category intro
This category honours an exceptional individual who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the planning sector through their leadership, innovation and impact.
Entries for this award are not submitted in the usual way – if you wish to put someone forward for this very special lifetime achievement award please drop us a line at events@businessldn.co.uk with a brief description of why you think your nominee should win.
All nominees will be considered by the judging panel and the winner revealed at the awards ceremony, taking place in October 2025.
Planning Service of the Year Judging criteria
Category intro
This category recognises an outstanding contribution to planning in London by a public sector planning service.
Who should enter?
Public sector planning departments, cross-authority networks or planning service providers working within London. Please note: this is a team category, where judges will be looking for evidence of best practice. If you wish to enter a specific project or scheme, please refer to the project categories.
Eligibility
We accept both nominations and self-submitted entries for this award, however if you are nominating another organisation you must be able to demonstrate evidence of impact and any estimated or delivered results.
PR & Media Agencies please note:
If you are submitting an entry on behalf of your client, you must submit your client’s details — including contact information – as part of the entry process. We reserve the right to withdraw any entry that does not provide the entrant company’s details within the submission. If you have any concerns, please contact us at events@businessldn.co.uk before submitting the entry.
Judging criteria
When reviewing your entry judges will want to know why this team / organisation should win and what makes them stand out. Do not be shy in stating your achievements. Specifically, judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Strong leadership that demonstrates bold and ambitious vision.
- A team focused on innovation and new ways of working.
- The measurable impact and the results that have been delivered.
- The challenges faced and how these were overcome.
- Strong third-party testimonials.
- A solid understanding of community / applicant / service user needs, and how expectations have been exceeded.
- How longer-term sustainability has been prioritised throughout delivery. Please consider social, economic and environmental factors in your response.
- A continued commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all that is delivered.
Planning Service of the Year Entry form
Mayor’s Award for Good Growth
Entries are not accepted for this award. Instead, the winner for this category is chosen from the above category winners.
The Mayor will select the project or scheme that most successfully contributes to delivering his six Good Growth principles:
- Building strong and inclusive communities
- Making the best use of land
- Creating a healthy city
- Delivering the homes Londoners need
- Growing a good economy
- Increasing efficiency and resilience
This winner of winners will then be announced on the night of the awards ceremony, taking place in October 2025.
Social Values & Community Engagement Award Judging criteria
Category intro
This award champions the positive relationship between planning and communities either through a development project or a community initiative. It could include innovative public consultation methods for a scheme or development plan document, resident-led estate regeneration, community meanwhile uses or exemplary social value outcomes from any planning project.
who should enter?
The award will be given to a specific project or scheme – so any parties involved in the conception, planning, design, development, implementation and management of the project can submit the entry, but we expect the submission to focus on how the planning has been instrumental to the project’s success. As part of the submission, we require entrants to state all key collaborators and parties involved in the delivery of the project.
Eligibility
If relevant, planning permission for the project must have been granted no earlier than January 2015, and works must have progressed sufficiently on site for the judges to be able to assess its implementation, ideally to the point of being substantially complete or at least partially in use. Planning permission for a project or scheme can either be full planning permission, or reserved matters approval pursuant to an outline permission.
If relevant, a policy document must have been adopted no earlier than 2023.
As part of your entry you will be encouraged to demonstrate evidence of impact and any estimated or delivered results.
PR & Media Agencies please note:
If you are submitting an entry on behalf of your client, you must submit your client’s details — including contact information – as part of the entry process. We reserve the right to withdraw any entry that does not provide the entrant company’s details within the submission. If you have any concerns, please contact us at events@businessldn.co.uk before submitting the entry.
Judging criteria
When reviewing your entry judges want to know why this project should win, why it stands out and why it is innovative. Specifically, the judges will be looking for evidence of:
Social Values & Community Engagement Award Entry form