Monmouthshire County Council, Abergavenny, Magor with Undy and Monmouth Town Councils have been recognised for their outstanding approach to town centre placemaking after winning the Royal Town Planning Institute’s (RTPI) Award for Excellence in Plan Making Practice 2026.
The award celebrates exceptional plan making that goes beyond standard practice, recognising plans that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for communities, the environment and local economies.
The award-winning plans were developed with the support of a team of consultants led by Chris Jones Regeneration, working with Roberts Limbrick Architects and Owen Davies Consulting.
The accolade acknowledges Monmouthshire’s innovative work to develop placemaking plans that are shaped and driven by local communities, placing local people at the heart of shaping the future of their towns.
A strong partnership between the county council and town councils has ensured the plans reflect local priorities and ambitions, supporting the creation of vibrant, sustainable and inclusive places to live, work and visit.
The Abergavenny, Magor with Undy and Monmouth plans now sit alongside placemaking and regeneration strategies for Caldicot, Chepstow and Usk.
Through this work, Monmouthshire County Council is supporting regeneration across its towns, attracting significant external investment while strengthening local economies and community wellbeing.
Implementation of the plans is already underway, with projects to be delivered in 2026/27 including:
- New, high-quality Changing Places and public toilet facilities in Abergavenny and Usk
- A new skatepark and “quick win” public realm improvements in Caldicot
- New and improved public toilets and a new community growing space in Chepstow
- Enhancements to Magor Square and at key gateways into the centre of Magor with Undy
- Public realm improvements in Monmouth bus station
- Support for landlords and businesses to bring empty buildings back into use in town centres across the county.
Cllr Paul Griffiths, Monmouthshire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Economy, said:
“We are incredibly proud to receive this award. Our placemaking plans are built on collaboration, with town councils, residents and businesses, working together to shape the future of their communities.
“This recognition reflects our shared ambition to create thriving, sustainable town centres across Monmouthshire.”
