We are delighted to announce that Maxwell Griffin, Senior Planner, has been nominated for the Young Planner of the Year category in the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2026. The category recognises outstanding early-career planners who have made a significant contribution to the profession through the quality of their work, recent achievements and wider impact.
We have also been shortlisted for the Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment for the Brailsford Brook river and floodplain restoration project, which both Partner, Scott O’Dell and Planner, Ethan Glover were heavily involved in.
Maxwell manages a diverse and complex portfolio of planning applications, taking the lead on a number of high-profile infrastructure projects. His work reflects a strong understanding of planning policy, technical requirements and the practical challenges involved in delivering essential infrastructure in a responsible and effective way.
Among the most notable schemes in his portfolio are planning applications for two new reservoirs, alongside Environmental Impact Assessment screening requests for long-distance pipelines. He has also successfully secured permissions for new treatment sites and pipeline diversions, consistently balancing the need for resilient, future-ready infrastructure with the requirements of planning policy and environmental assessment.
Working collaboratively with clients, designers, environmental specialists and technical consultants, Maxwell is known for his thoughtful and solutions-focused approach. His ability to bring together multiple disciplines, manage competing priorities and maintain momentum on complex projects has been central to the successful delivery of key planning outcomes.
The Brailsford Brook river and floodplain restoration project in Ednaston, Derbyshire transformed a heavily altered and eroding watercourse into a more natural, resilient and environmentally beneficial system. Working with the landowner, Dynamic Rivers, the Wild Trout Trust and the Environment Agency, the team developed a long-term, nature-based solution that reconnected the brook with its floodplain, reduced erosion risks, protected nearby hatchery ponds and enhanced habitats for wildlife. The scheme delivered significant ecological gains, including improved fish passage and biodiversity net gain well above mandatory requirements, while preserving existing trees and hedgerows.
Partner and Head of Planning, Sarah DeRenzy-Thomson, said: “Maxwell’s nomination is well deserved. He brings a proactive mindset, strong technical understanding and a collaborative approach to every project, consistently helping to turn complex planning challenges into deliverable, high-quality outcomes.
“The Brailsford Brook project is an excellent example of how thoughtful planning can help deliver environmental restoration alongside long-term resilience. By working closely with partners and stakeholders, the team developed a practical, nature-based solution that not only addressed erosion and floodplain challenges but also created meaningful ecological benefits and a more sustainable outcome for the site.”
The awards final will take place on Thursday, 25 June 2026 at the Albert Hall Conference Centre, Nottingham.