Cannock Chase Council has won Planning Authority of the Year at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) West Midlands Awards for Planning Excellence 2026. The award was presented at a ceremony in Birmingham on 23 July.
The Council's Planning Service was recognised for outstanding achievements across both its Development Management and Planning Policy teams. Judges noted that the authority is a high-performing and collaborative team delivering strong planning outcomes.
Regional Winner Advances to National Finals
As the regional winner, Cannock Chase Council will represent the West Midlands at the RTPI National Awards for Planning Excellence finals in London in December. The Council will compete against six other regional Planning Authority of the Year winners from across the UK for the national title.
What the Judges Highlighted
The judges commended the Council's work in progressing its Local Plan through Examination in Public while maintaining strong development management performance. They cited the authority's handling of major proposals including the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet expansion. The service was praised for working constructively with applicants, communities and regional partners to resolve complex planning challenges and support sustainable development.
Council Leader's Response
Councillor Paul Jones, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Corporate Strategy, said the award reflects the hard work and expertise of the Planning Service. He highlighted the adoption of the Local Plan earlier in the year as a significant achievement and noted the collaborative effort required to balance economic growth with protecting the district's character.