The group behind the regeneration of St Albans civic centre are amongst the finalists for a top planning award.

Herts Advertiser: Charrette organised by Look! St Albans to discuss the Civic Centre regenerationCharrette organised by Look! St Albans to discuss the Civic Centre regeneration (Image: Archant)

Half a dozen organisations, including St Albans district council and Look! St Albans, have been working together to redevelop the area near the Alban Arena. For their work, they have been shortlisted for excellence in plan making practice at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence.

The council’s executive leader, Councillor Julian Daly, said: “To be short-listed for this excellence award is a terrific endorsement of the work that has gone into the scheme so far.”

At the cente of the group’s work was a series of public meetings held over a weekend last September to allow people to chance to see plans and speak to developers.

Vanessa Gregory, Chair of Look! St Albans, said: “I am over the Moon for all involved. To be shortlisted for such a prestigious award is in no small measure down to the over 166 people who gave a combined 1,000 hours plus of their time to the charrette.”

Herts Advertiser: Picture of a break-out group from the charrette organised by Look! St AlbansPicture of a break-out group from the charrette organised by Look! St Albans (Image: Archant)

Further details about the charrette can be viewed at www.lookstalbans.org/ccos, or visit rtpi.org.uk/events/awards to find out more about the RTPI awards.