Whitehill & Bordon's Green Loop shortlisted for major planning awards

Whitehill & Bordon’s Green Loop is a finalist in this year’s prestigious Planning Awards.

The Green Loop, which includes the Wayfinding Project, is in the best use of arts, culture or sport category.

The awards recognise outstanding work by councils, consultants, developers, voluntary groups and other important players in the UK planning system, with the winners being announced at a ceremony in London on June 9.

As part of Whitehill & Bordon’s vision to be a green, healthy and connected town, the 7km loop encircles and connects the new and existing town. The purpose is to provide a high quality, safe and well-signed route, which connects the town’s greenspaces with residential and employment areas.

The Wayfinding Project is part of the Green Loop initiative, which uses signage, landmarks and public realm enhancements, including motifs and materials that are a reminder of the area’s connection with the Army, to help make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate around the town.

Partially funded by EM3 Local Enterprise Partnership and with developers’ contributions, the Green Loop initiative is a partnership effort between East Hampshire District Council, Hampshire County Council, Whitehill Town Council, Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company, and design consultancy Urban Place Lab.

EM3’s Head of Infrastructure, Transport and Place, Kevin Travers, said the LEP’s involvement with the Green Loop is part a much wider Sustainable Transport Package for Whitehill & Bordon, to which EM3 contributed more than £3 million.

He said: “We are excited and delighted to see the Whitehill & Bordon Green Loop shortlisted for such a prestigious award, especially as it aims to help reduce car journeys and encourage people to walk and cycle for commuting, leisure and exercise purposes.”

“This is a great example of what can be achieved by different partners successfully working together.”