'SHEDx – Growing Ideas in Tolworth' wins London Planning Award

'SHEDx – Growing Ideas in Tolworth' has won the award for Community Engagement in the Planning Process in the London Planning Awards 2019 held at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square.

The awards, now in their 15th year, are designed to celebrate the best talent and expertise of the capital's development and planning industry; showcasing how collaborative planning, strong decision making and exemplary design standards can help to mould the city and steer its future growth to meet the varying needs of all Londoners.

SHEDx is designed to stimulate communities in the Tolworth area to become engaged in re-imagining space, both urban and green, through interventions and creative opportunities. It is an opportunity to deliver community-led regeneration amidst larger scale transformation as the area prepares to undergo major changes in the coming years.

The project is designed to be flexible and responsive to the ideas that come from the community themselves and will continue to morph, shift and develop as the project progresses. Vital is hearing and responding to local hopes.

SHEDx is a project from The Community Brain CIC supported by The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, the Greater London Authority, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Kingston University, Kingston College and local businesses, individuals and organisations.

Commenting on the award Robin Hutchinson, Director of The Community Brain said, "This is a wonderful recognition for the hundreds of people who have driven SHEDx on with their ideas, imagination, hard work in the first few months of the project. With their continued support and energy amazing things are and will grow in Tolworth."

"We were thrilled to be even nominated but to win against a strong shortlist is amazing."

The Award for Community Engagement in the Planning Process – sponsored by Landsec – shortlist:

8 Albert Embankment, submitted by U+I and London Fire Commissioner
Norwood co-operative local investment plan, submitted by London Borough of Lambeth, Hatch Regeneris, Kaizen Partnership
SHEDx – Growing ideas in Tolworth, submitted by The Community Brain CIC, The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Greater London Authority, Heritage Lottery Fund