Planning Excellence awards

Dover District Council is welcoming news that local projects have shown they are at the leading edge of planning excellence - with 'The Wing' in Capel-le-Ferne winning two prestigious Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South East Awards, and the Dover District Heritage Strategy also winning an RTPI award.

The RTPI South East Award winners were announced on 8 October. 'The Wing' Learning and Education Centre at the Battle of Britain Memorial was named the winner in the 'Excellence in Planning and Design for the Public Realm' category, and was also named as the Regional Winner for 2015. The Dover District Heritage Strategy was the winner in the 'Excellence in Planning for Built Heritage' category.

'The Wing' was submitted for the awards by Dover District Council in partnership with the designers, Folkestone-based chartered building surveyors Godden Allen Lawn. Speaking about 'The Wing', the Awards Panel said that: "Effective working between public and third sectors achieved an outstanding memorial... that perfectly reflects its historic landscape surroundings." The Judges added that: "It introduces a leading edge and engaging experience for visitors' interpretation ..."

The Dover District Heritage Strategy was submitted by DDC in partnership with Historic England and Kent County Council. The District Heritage Strategy is a pioneering project that aims to take forward the National Planning Policy Framework's heritage policies at a local level. The Awards Panel said that: "The Strategy ensures Dover's rich heritage plays a clear role in shaping future regeneration, development and management decisions."

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, DDC Cabinet Member for Planning said: "We are delighted that the 'The Wing' has been recognised by the RTPI for its striking building design and the significant contribution that it makes to educate future generations about the Battle of Britain and those that participated in it. We are also extremely pleased that the District Heritage Strategy, which furthers our understanding and appreciation of heritage assets and how we can use them to stimulate community-based heritage work, has also been recognized by the RTPI as an award winning strategy. Our congratulations go to everyone involved in both of these outstanding projects."