Natural Power has been selected as a finalist in two categories, ‘Small Planning Consultancy of the Year' and ‘Excellence in Planning for the Innovative Delivery of Infrastructure' at the Royal Town Planning Institute's (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2017.

The RTPI Awards are the most established and respected awards in the UK planning industry. Running for 40 years, they celebrate exceptional examples of planning and the contribution planners make to society.

Shortlisted for Small Planning Consultancy of the Year, Natural Power has been operating for 21 years and its global headquarters is based in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. With real in-house expertise of the entire renewable energy development cycle including Environmental Impact Assessment, planning and consent management, Natural Power has delivered more than 3GW worth of consents for renewable energy developments on behalf of its clients. Natural Power keeps abreast of planning policy updates, responds to consultations and provides input to guidance documents and as a trusted consultancy, uses its experience to provide compliance monitoring services, and is increasingly involved in other infrastructure too.

In addition, Natural Power has also been shortlisted in the category for Excellence in Planning for the Innovative Delivery of Infrastructure which included securing what is believed to be the worlds first planning consent for deployment of kite-based renewable electricity generation. The application was made on behalf of Kite Power Solutions (KPS) to utilise an area of ground at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) West Freugh Range, operated by QinetiQ on behalf of MoD, near Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, for research and development purposes of an innovative and emerging wind energy technology utilising kites. Key elements of the project involved project management, ecological and environmental assessment including review under the Habitats Regulations, preparation of material in support of the application including a supporting statement, maps, plans, diagrams and stakeholder consultation that were all necessary to address the issues raised by the proposed use of KPS systems at the West Freugh Range.

Chris Pendlebury, Director of Planning and Environment at Natural Power, said: "Natural Power is committed to creating a better environment and providing market leading advice and services to our clients. To be shortlisted for these awards demonstrates our commitment and we are delighted to be recognised by the RTPI for the quality of our services".

Stephen Wilkinson, President of the Royal Town Planning Institute said: "The finalists represent some outstanding contributions to planning which are making a positive impact for the community and environment. The judges will find it difficult choosing the winners given the high calibre of entries this year."

This year saw a nearly 40% increase in entrants and the judges have shortlisted 90 finalists across 14 categories with an overall winner awarded the Silver Jubilee Cup. The winners will be announced during a ceremony held at Milton Court at The Barbican, London on 15 June 2017

Andrew Jones, Practice Leader Design Planning + Economics, AECOM said: "AECOM is proud to once again be a headline sponsor of this years RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence. The finalists are a diverse mixture of outstanding examples of planning, which demonstrate the impact the profession has on quality and delivery in the built environment."

David Jackson, Head of Planning, Savills said: "Savills is delighted to be a headline sponsor of the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence. The finalists reflect the positive impact planning has on our communities across the UK, Ireland and internationally through projects, plans and people."

Tickets to the ceremony go on sale on 7th February.

The RTPI champions the power of planning in creating prosperous places and vibrant communities. It is the only body in the UK that confers Chartered status to planners, the highest professional qualification sought after by employers. We support our members - 23,000 worldwide - throughout their careers.