Ingleton Wood wins prestigious RTPI East of England Award for Excellence in Planning for Communities Friday, 21st June 2024

Ingleton Wood is proud to have won the ‘Best Project' category at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) East of England Region Awards for Planning Excellence.

The RTPI East of England Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in planning and development, recognising projects that make significant contributions to the built environment and local communities.

This winning project highlights Ingleton Wood’s exceptional work and collaboration with Mid Suffolk District Councils on the development of the Former Middle School at Teachers Close, located in Needham Market.

The development, which transformed the former middle school site into a vibrant residential community, highlights the innovative planning and sustainable development practices implemented by the multi-disciplinary team at Ingleton Wood.

The Mid Suffolk council’s Teachers Close development provides much-needed affordable housing and a new state of the art library facility for the local community, while preserving the character and heritage of the local area.

Key features of the project:

• Sustainable design: The project incorporates eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems, ensuring long-term sustainability and reduction in the cost of living impact for social housing tenants.
  
  
• Community focus: Emphasis on creating a cohesive community space that fosters social interaction and enhances the quality of life for residents, as well as providing a new library for use by the wider community.
  
  
• Heritage preservation: Careful planning to maintain the historical significance of the sensitive surrounding Conservation Area and the refurbished former Victorian school house.

Nicol Perryman (MMath (Hons) MRTPI), Associate Planner at Ingleton Wood, commented on winning the regional Best Project award:

"We are honoured to have won this prestigious award, which underscores our commitment to excellence in planning and community development. The Teachers Close project provides a shining example of how thoughtful design and collaboration can create thriving and sustainable communities. Being announced as category winners affirms the project as an exemplar of a local authority delivering much-needed social housing, affordable shared-ownership homes, and community facilities on a challenging brownfield site." 

Holly Brett, Head of The Councils’ Companies and Development said:

“We are thrilled that our Needham Market development was successful in winning the Best Project at the RTPI East of England Awards for Planning Excellence 2024.

"Working in partnership with planners and architects Ingleton Wood, this achievement reflects the Council’s commitment to provide high quality housing, supported by great design which supports and meets the needs of our residents and communities.”