The awards celebrate projects and people who have helped create exceptional places and improved the lives of those who live and work there. They also highlight how planning and planners work to create a safe, healthy and sustainable future.

The winners from Dorset Council were Frances Summers and Christopher Lee.

Frances, who is a senior planning policy officer, was the overall winner for the South West young planner of the year. The judges appreciated her grasp of issues facing planning and planning professionals. She has also undertaken a role as a ‘digital champion’ for the council and worked to inspire school children to consider planning as a profession.

Planning policy officer Christopher received a commended in the same category. He was described as a ‘solid, conscientious young planner’, and they were impressed with his interest and expertise in streamlining processes through digitalisation.

The awards are organised by the RTPI regionally which leads onto the national awards.

Dorset Council portfolio holder for Planning, Cllr David Walsh, said: “Congratulations to Frances and Chris. To have two mentions in the one category is fantastic. It shows the calibre of our young, up-and-coming planning stars who will invigorate the service.”