Both successes were in relation to the team’s project with the London Cancer Hub, with the team winning Planning Award for Partnership Working and being Highly Commended for Planning Permission of the Year.

Earlier this year, Savills secured landmark planning approval for a £1 billion expansion of the London Cancer Hub led by Aviva Capital Partners and development manager Socius. The approved scheme will deliver around 1 million sq ft of state-of-the-art laboratory and research space, unlocking the next phase of growth at the London Cancer Hub and strengthening the UK’s science and innovation infrastructure.

The Planning Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in planning work by local authorities, consultants, developers, lawyers, voluntary and neighbourhood groups and all the other key players in the planning system. They incorporate the Placemaking Awards, which also reward excellence in planning-related activities such as placemaking, urban design, economic development, housing, regeneration, legal advice and environmental consulting.

Underlining the division’s consistency in delivering excellent results for its clients, this year’s success for Planning Permission of the Year is the third time in the last seven years that the team has been recognised in this category – winning once and being ‘highly commended’ on two occasions.

Savills was also involved in the planning for Ashmere Garden Village, the UK’s first new garden city in a century, which won the award for Best Housing Scheme (500 homes or more) on the night. This was a project where Savills acted as planning consultants. 

Samruti Patel, planning director at Savills, says: “We are delighted to see the London Cancer Hub recognised for its outstanding partnership approach. By bringing together world-leading organisations and the local community, our client has created a powerful, collaborative vision that will drive innovation and deliver a lasting impact — this has been underpinned by constructive engagement with Sutton Council and the Greater London Authority to secure planning approval.”

David Jackson, Head of Planning and Savills Earth, adds: “It is always pleasing for Savills to be advising on some of the most important planning projects, but when these projects are recognised by an industry award it is extra special. This is a truly exceptional project that we are delighted to be associated with and is a testament to the whole team of advisors who have been so dedicated to deliver this project that will make a lasting difference to the lives of Londoners.”