Government department bags two planning awards

A Jersey government department has won two awards at a regional ceremony for town planners.

The Infrastructure and Environment Department said its marine resources team won Best Plan at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) South West Awards for Planning Excellence.

It received the award for its work on Jersey's Marine Spatial Plan, in particular the project's vision to create a thriving environment and to provide environmental, economic, cultural, and social benefits.

On top of this, the team's head of development and land in regulation, Andrew Marx, won the Unsung Planning Hero award.

RTPI judges said Mr Marx's "positive and proactive planning reform" had resulted in wider improvements for the planning service.

After receiving his award, Mr Marx said: "I was honoured and humbled to be nominated for the award.

"I wish to share the recognition with group director Kelly Whitehead, all our planners and the technical support and regulatory improvement officers that have worked tirelessly to improve our planning services for the benefit of all islanders."

In their comments for the Marine Spatial Plan, the judges said the project was a "very well-crafted submission" and described it as a worthy winner.

Francis Binney, head of marine resources, said: "Building the Marine Spatial Plan was a huge collaborative effort between government, industry, and islanders with an interest in the sea.

"This is a great endorsement of how we are managing and planning to manage Jersey's territorial seas."

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