A DARLINGTON firm is a finalist in the Royal Town Planning Institute's (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2017.

England Lyle Good Town Planning (ELG Planning) has been shortlisted in the "Planning Consultancy of the Year" category.

Based in Coniscliffe Road, the firm operates throughout the UK and has become one of the country's leading firm of town planning consultants since it was established 21 years ago.

Last year, it won the RTPI North East Award for Planning Excellence for its work on the Wynyard Gardens project at Wynyard Hall for Cameron Hall Developments Ltd.

Ian Lyle, director, said they were extremely proud of being shortlisted for the new award.

He said: "We are by far the smallest consultancy to be shortlisted and the only one headquartered in the North-East. Being nominated as a finalist is, I think, a reflection of the fact that we consistently 'punch above our weight' in terms of the range and high quality of the work we do throughout the UK."

Stephen Wilkinson, RTPI president, said: "The finalists represent some outstanding contributions to planning, which are making a positive impact for the community and environment. The judges will find it difficult choosing the winners, given the high calibre of entries this year."

The awards are the most established and respected in the UK planning industry. Running for 40 years, they celebrate exceptional examples of planning and the contribution planners make to society.

This year saw a near 40 per cent increase in entrants and the judges have shortlisted 90 finalists across 14 categories. An overall winner will receive the Silver Jubilee Cup. The winners will be announced during a ceremony at The Barbican, London, on June 15.