Planning and regional policy

Northern Ireland Sustainable Planning Awards
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RTPI/RSPB NI Sustainable Planning Awards

Solar panel being fitted at RSPB nature reserve

Over the last two years, the RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) and the RSPB in Northern Ireland have joined forces to promote sustainable development through the Sustainable Planning Awards.

The awards recognise developers and individuals who have followed a ‘green’ planning process from start to finish.

"We wanted to recognise people who have taken the initiative in the way they design and build their buildings," said Gavan Rafferty, RTPI Chair, Northern Ireland. “There is so much good practice out there that we had to highlight it. The message must be what’s good for the environment is good for business.”
 
On our part, the partnership was a natural one. “We deal so much with planning issues, often in negative terms,” said Aidan Lonergan, Director RSPB NI. “We thought that if we reframed the argument in a positive way, the message of sustainability would be more attractive and – if you excuse the pun – concrete.”

The awards were sponsored by the Planning Service, The Department of Social Development and Action Renewables. Additional events costs were covered by support from the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Carvill Group.

The RSPB and RTPI plan to work together in the future to continue to recognise sustainable development.

Aidan Lonergan, RSPB’s NI Director, said "The RTPI and RSPB both want to promote awareness and implementation of sustainable planning. The awards are a very practical way of not only recognising some of our most innovative developments, but also to highlight good practice, and show what can be done with the right approach. This is only the second year of the awards but we intend to work together in the future to ensure they go from strength to strength and we continue to recognise good practice here in Northern Ireland."

Of the 20 entries for the 2008/2009 awards, ten were shortlisted. There was one winner in each of the three categories and these are featured below:

Eco Barn, Orchard Acre Farm

The winner in the Rural Areas and Natural Environment category is the Eco Barn from Orchard Acre Farm, Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh. The Eco Barn is part of the Orchard Acre Farm training, consultancy and conference centre. Originally a derelict farm building, it was restored using local materials, labour and traditional techniques. More...

Eco Barn, Orchard Acre Farm

The Derry Playhouse

Winner in the Sustainable Communities and Regeneration Category was The Derry Playhouse, Londonderry, Co Derry. Built in the late 19th century, it was a girls’ school for several decades before it was left to become derelict. Now, an innovative mix of the past and present comes together in the Playhouse. More...

Derry Playhouse

Woodbrook development

The winner in the Urban Areas and Built Development Category was the Woodbrook Development, Lisburn, Co Down. Northern Ireland’s first eco-village, Woodbrook is a new build site that follows the layout of a traditional local village and the houses have been designed to minimise carbon emissions. More...

Woodbrook eco-village