With the highest number of entrants since the Awards began, this year's London Planning Awards shortlist trumpets little and local schemes as well as the big and bold.

From cornerstone local schemes in deprived areas, such as the Barking Learning Centre, to more high profile entrants like St Pancras High Speed 1, this year's Awards bring together themes at the heart of the new Mayor's priorities, combining a better quality of life for all Londoners with the highest standards of design and planning.

The awards, run jointly by the Mayor of London, London First, Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and London Councils, were established to recognise planning professionals and organisations that have made strong contributions towards the changing landscape of the capital. With the arrival of a new Mayor and the addition of two new categories - Best Project to Protect Communities and Best Built Project 5 Years On - helping to attract a bumper number of entries, this year's Awards are set to be the most hotly contested yet.


Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: "London is a city worthy of the best and this year's London Planning Awards shortlist is a selection of great design and planning from the modest local schemes, which serve the needs of their community, to the big and bold projects which will improve our capital for all. I look forward to presenting the best of these inspiring projects with their awards in the New Year."

For the full shortlist see www.london-first.co.uk

(GK/JM)