Local housing delivery programme bags top planning excellence award

York city council’s housing delivery programme has been awarded the top planning excellence award through its efforts to tackle fuel poverty and climate change.

For over 40 years The Royal Town Planning Institution (RTPI) have been awarding local planning programmes that have helped enhance communities and raise awareness of the pioneering work of the industry.

This year, winners were revealed across 15 categories at a ceremony held in London – the first in-person event since 2019.

A transformation of a tower block estate in London was among winners at this year’s celebration, however York City Council’s latest Housing Delivery Programme walked away with the most recognition.

RTPI awarded the silver Jubilee Cup to the local council’s project, calling it ‘the most outstanding of all the winning projects.’

The organisation added: ‘The scheme demonstrates how the UN Sustainable Development Goals can be achieved in practice to create mixed and inclusive communities that promote well-being and healthy lifestyles.’

York’s Housing Delivery Programme aims to tackle the climate crisis by delivering mixed tenure, net-zero carbon housing across council-owned sites. Plans include 112 Passivhaus homes at Duncombe Barracks and Burnholme – 60% of them will be affordable. The developments are also set to incorporate intergenerational and multigenerational homes to promote social inclusion to reduce isolation and loneliness.

The nomination for the award was submitted by Tibbalds Planning and Urban design, who provided planning advice and support throughout York’s programme.

Previously, York’s Housing Delivery Programme won RTPI’s regional award for best plan, which then automatically entered the project into the national competition to compete against all other regional winners.

Victoria Hills, RTPI Chief Executive said: ‘It was fantastic to see York’s innovative Housing Delivery Programme win this year’s jubilee cup.

‘By creating a strong local plan, the City of York Council is not only improving the lives of future generations within the area, but is addressing the current, real-life challenges faced by communities today.’

Cllr Denise Craghill, Executive Member for Housing at City of York Council said: ‘Planning our housing delivery programme started and ends with residents. We involved local people at the very earliest stages to understand what mattered to them about new housing in their area.

‘Their vision is helping ensure that the generations of residents who will live in these homes will benefit from their sustainability, affordability, space and build quality.’

Photo by: Luke Porter