Planning Awards 2025: Award entry for Partnership Working
Sarah Heslam, Principal Development Management Officer at Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), has been working closely with South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) through the Design PAD Service. A collaborative initiative that’s now gaining national recognition. Their joint efforts were recently shortlisted in the Partnership Working category at the Planning Awards, a testament to the strength of their partnership and shared commitment to high-quality, sustainable development. Although they didn’t win, being shortlisted remains a significant achievement and reflects the dedication of both teams.While SKDC remains the decision-maker on planning applications, it relies on LCC’s technical expertise in highways and flood risk. As both the Highway Authority and Lead Local Flood Authority, LCC plays a crucial role in shaping development proposals, especially with recent policy changes that prioritise sustainable drainage and high-quality design.
The Design PAD Service brings together planning officers, urban designers, landscape architects, and engineers from both councils to provide developers with coordinated, detailed feedback early in the process. This joined-up approach helps avoid delays, improves design quality, and ensures developments align with national and local policies. It also empowers planners to challenge weak proposals and push for better outcomes.
The service promotes place-based, innovative design, encouraging walkable neighbourhoods, inclusive access, sustainable drainage, and green infrastructure. One standout example is a major site in Grantham, where early collaboration led to a much-improved layout. LCC raised concerns about the lack of SuDS, and by providing technical solutions, helped SKDC secure a revised design that better addressed drainage, public space, and policy goals.
This partnership between LCC and SKDC is now seen as a model for collaborative planning in Lincolnshire, raising the bar for sustainable, well-designed development across the region.
