Triple shortlisting for Gillespies at the 2025 Planning Awards

We’re thrilled to announce that three of our projects have been shortlisted for the 2025 Planning Awards, recognising Gillespies’ contribution to landscape-led regeneration, heritage enhancement, and high-quality housing.

Rochdale Town Hall has been shortlisted in the Best Use of Heritage in Placemaking category, Plaistow Hub in the Best Use of Publicly-owned Land in Placemaking, and 1 & 2 MacFarlane Place in Best Housing Scheme (fewer than 500 homes).

Working alongside Donald Insall Associates, Gillespies played a key role in reimagining the public realm surrounding the historic Rochdale Town Hall. Delivered by Rochdale Development Agency for Rochdale Borough Council, the scheme sensitively introduces new civic spaces, improves access, and reinforces the town hall’s status as the cultural and community heart of the borough.

Plaistow Hub, delivered by Populo Living — Newham’s housing company —has transformed two underused public sites into a vibrant, mixed-use community. The scheme delivers 182 high-quality Build-to-Rent homes alongside a new community hub. Our public realm design promotes active travel and stronger social connections.

Part of the wider Television Centre redevelopment in White City, 1 & 2 MacFarlane Place for Stanhope and Peabody delivers 142 affordable homes seamlessly integrated into the masterplan. Our landscape design promotes community living through a series of shared courtyards, green links, and playable spaces, enhancing wellbeing and encouraging neighbourly interactions.

Now in their 12th year, the Planning Awards celebrate excellence in planning, placemaking, and the creation of inclusive, liveable places. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Wednesday 11 June 2025 in London. View the full shortlist here.

Congratulations to our clients, collaborators, and project teams on this well-deserved recognition.