Members will recall that as part of our continued drive to identify and showcase best practice within the planning for and delivery of nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), there are once again two awards this year:

The National Infrastructure Planning Association Award for “Best Project”; and

The National Infrastructure Planning Association Early Years Practitioner (EYP) Award.

The awards build on NIPA’s Insights research projects which have focused on building trust, providing evidence, ensuring appropriate controls and effective delivery.

Submissions were invited for “Best Project” in relation to NSIPs consented between 01 October 2024 and 30 September 2025 inclusive, and nominations for the EYP Award, by the deadline of Wednesday 29 October 2025.

Two panels of independent judges have since met to consider all submissions and nominations received. The judges were:

  “Best Project” Award:

Hannah Hickman (lead judge),

Associate Professor, University of the West of England

Robbie Calvert

Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Royal Town Planning Institute

Paul Hudson

Retired Examining Inspector, National Infrastructure, The Planning Inspectorate

Liz Waugh

Strategic communications practitioner and Managing Director, Coast Communications

EYP Award:

Hannah Hickman (lead judge),

Associate Professor, University of the West of England     

Odette Chalaby,

Landmark Chambers

Alex Higgin,

Co-Chair EYP steering group & Quod

Dr Lois Lane,

Cornerstone Barristers

Luke Thurley,

Co-chair EYP steering group & Volterra

Seven submissions were received for the “Best Project” Award and the following have been shortlisted:

A122 Lower Thames Crossing

National Highways

London Luton Airport Expansion

London Luton Airport Limited (Luton Rising)

Rampion 2 Offshore Windfarm

RWE Renewables Ltd

Ten nominations were received for the EYP Award and the following have been shortlisted:

Harry Dent, WSP

Orla Downs, Ardent

Olivia Heininger, Burges Salmon

Toby Yeates, Pinsent Masons

The winners of both 2025 Awards will be announced at NIPA’s Annual Dinner next Thursday 20 November 2025.

2025 NIPA Awards Sponsors

AECOM; EDF Power Solutions; Pegasus Group;39 Essex Chambers;

Walker Morris; DLA Piper; Stephenson Halliday and Lanpro