Greater Brighton planners shortlisted for national award

The team of officials working on plans for the Greater Brighton area have been shortlisted for a national award.

Their efforts, including the work of officials from Brighton and Hove City Council, have been recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

The institute, in its centenary year, has included the strategic planning and investment framework for Coastal West Sussex and Greater Brighton on the shortlist for its awards for planning excellence.

The citation said: “The 2011 Localism Act’s duty to co-operate and the government’s emphasis on delivering sustainable economic growth is providing a new context for strategic planning in England.

“The local authorities in Coastal West Sussex and Greater Brighton have been quick to grasp this new world and are leading the way in the development of locally driven, locally accountable, strategic planning.

“In October 2012 the local planning authorities along the Sussex coast agreed to establish a new strategic planning board (SPB) to help guide strategic planning priorities and maximise opportunities for investment in the area.

“The key role of the SPB was to develop an effective strategic framework for Coastal West Sussex and Greater Brighton which captured the spatial, economic and infrastructure priorities which were common along the coast and, working with partners, to ensure that this could be delivered.

“The result of this is the creation of a local strategic statement.

“This statement takes forward a memorandum of understanding between the authorities and builds an active and ongoing framework led by elected members for agreement on spatial priorities and key interventions.

“It also delivers the planning function for the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership in the Coastal West Sussex and Greater Brighton sub-region.”

The awards ceremony is due to take place on Monday 23 June at 6pm at the Shaw Theatre in the Pullman London St Pancras.