Belfast's groundbreaking Victoria Square has been awarded the UK's top planning prize.

The regeneration project scooped the Silver Jubilee Cup in a ceremony celebrating the best planning projects across the UK and Ireland.

Bob Neill, Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government and Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party presented the award to BDP, Victoria Square’s master-planners at the RTPI 2009 Planning Awards, which took place at the London Hilton yesterday.

Doug Pilkington, Architect Director, BDP Belfast said: "It’s fantastic that we’ve been recognised by the planning world for our work on Victoria Square, which has expanded the city towards the riverside in a way that is truly integrated. Working with the Northern Ireland Planning Service has been a really positive and collaborative experience, and Victoria Square is a great example of private investment, which has brought thousands of jobs to Belfast. But what is most important is that people in Belfast have really taken it to their hearts and that is what we are most proud of."

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Kay Powell, Chair of the Judging Panel for the RTPI 2009 Planning Awards said: "The Victoria Square Regeneration Project is a stunning achievement which has real potential to unite communities in Belfast. Clever planning has ensured that Victoria Square is far from being a straightforward retail-led development; it has become part of the city rather than just a mall, with every facet of the footprint of the development connecting directly onto the surrounding city streets, bringing life and vitality well into the evening and beyond."

(NS/BMcC)