A butterfly conservation project in Carmarthenshire has won a prestigious national award.

The project which protects the habitat for the protected marsh fritillary butterflies and manages the impact of economic growth, won in the Excellence in Planning for Natural Environment category at the Royal Town Planning Institute’s (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2018 held at a ceremony in London on May 24.

The Awards for Planning Excellence are the most established and respected awards in the UK planning industry.

The project protects the butterfly’s habitat, which is of European significance, from economic development in Cross Hands, one of only three economic growth areas in the county.

EU Regulations dictate that planning permission for development could only be granted in this sensitive area with a conservation plan in place.

Individual developers were unable to set up the level of mitigation required on their own, so the planners at Carmarthenshire County Council developed a plan to use S106 contributions from a number of individual developers.

S106 contributions - the contributions developers make to local infrastructure and services – have paid for land management agreements, acquisition of suitable land and revegetation.

Craig McLaren FRTPI, RTPI Awards Advisor said: “Planners strategic and innovative use of planning tools, particularly funding leveraged through S106 agreements, has saved the butterflies habitat while allowing economic growth. It’s a practical example of how planners can use the tools at their disposal to solve a number of problems and deliver positive outcomes for the environment, economy and community.”

Running for over 40 years, the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence celebrate exceptional examples of planning and the contribution planners make to society. This year saw a nearly record number of entrants and the judges shortlisted 78 finalists across 13 categories.

Andrew Jones MRTPI, Practice Leader Design, Planning + Economics at AECOM said:

“AECOM is proud to be a headline sponsor once again of the RTPI’s Awards for Planning Excellence. Those recognised tonight illustrate the best of the planning profession and demonstrate the impact we have on quality and delivery in every area of the built environment. On behalf of AECOM I would like to extend our congratulations to all of the commendations and winners.”

David Jackson MRTPI, Head of Planning, Savills said:“Savills is delighted to be a headline sponsor of the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence.

"The winners this year reflect the positive impact planning has on our communities across the UK, Ireland and internationally through projects, plans and people.

"I’d like to congratulate all of those short-listed for awards and the category winners on behalf of the team at Savills.”