A waste infrastructure support tool developed to help promote a low carbon economy has won a coveted Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) award.
The tool was developed on behalf of the regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands (AWM), by global real estate services firm DTZ, together with environmental consultants, SLR Consulting.
The project won the ‘Spatial Strategies’ category at the RTPI awards ceremony held in London.
Working closely with AWM, DTZ and SLR Consulting developed a location analysis tool which provides a coherent approach to diverting waste from landfill across the West Midlands.
It identifies "hot spots" of opportunity where key waste treatment and recycling infrastructure can be deployed to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, support local businesses to manage their waste more efficiently, and assist in the development of a low carbon economy.
The RTPI judges praised the tool’s ability to provide detailed maps and location shortlists that enable developers and planners to quickly identify areas of opportunity.
According to the judges’ comments: "The approach brings a clear and consistent methodology that helps to breed confidence in the planning process. The quality of the professional work involved in the development of planning concepts, implementation of the analysis and formulation of the strategy has been excellent."
Mark Pearce, Corporate Director at Advantage West Midlands, said: “We are delighted that our work to support the waste and resource industry in the West Midlands has been recognised with this national award.
“We couldn’t have done this without the support and input of waste businesses and local authorities from across the region.
“The principles are adaptable and replicable elsewhere – and we hope the rest of the country can take advantage in future of the work we have done.”
Richard Howard, Associate Director at DTZ in development consulting, said: “We are delighted that our hard work has been recognised with this prestigious award win.
"The development of waste treatment infrastructure is crucial in delivering against the UK’s EU landfill diversion obligations.
"The waste and energy sectors are two of the more buoyant areas of the property industry and DTZ is currently advising on a number of potential waste and energy projects across the country.”
The annual RTPI awards celebrate the best planning projects from across the UK and Ireland.