WWA Wins Planning Consultant of the Year

Planning with Purpose

Over the past three years, our planning team has:

• Supported 285 senior housing projects, averaging 95 each year

• Achieved an impressive 92% approval rate on planning applications

• Submitted 54 applications in 2024, with only two refusals

• Built lasting client partnerships, with 78% of our work from repeat clients

• Earned a 4.7-star Google rating, with 31 out of 33 reviews giving us 4 or 5 stars.

These achievements highlight not only our technical skills but also the trust our clients place in us to deliver outcomes that make a real difference.

Tackling Challenging Projects

We are proud to have navigated some of the most complex planning landscapes in recent years. Projects like Bulmer House in the South Downs National Park, Michaelmas Court on an unallocated greenfield site, and Torrington, a Passivehaus development, showcase our ability to secure permissions where others might struggle.

By balancing design quality, sustainability, community engagement, and political sensitivities, we have delivered affordable, energy-efficient, and inclusive housing for older people, even in the most challenging contexts.

Leading the Conversation

Beyond project delivery, our team is dedicated to promoting best practices across the sector.

• We are proud sponsors of the Housing LIN Planning Pages, a national platform for knowledge sharing.

• We are affiliated with ARCO (Associated Retirement Community Operators), ensuring our projects reflect the latest sector thinking.

• We regularly host HAPPI Hour webinars, publish articles on key planning issues, and co-author guidance such as the Dorset Extra Care Design Guide.

Our thought leadership means we don’t just plan individual projects; we influence policy and practice nationally, helping to shape the future of retirement living.

Building a Sustainable Future

Sustainability sits at the heart of our work. From schemes designed to Passivhaus standards to projects achieving BREEAM Excellent ratings, we are committed to delivering housing that reduces energy use, lowers costs for residents, and supports climate goals.

As a practice, we also walk the talk, with a zero-carbon by 2030 pledge, remote working strategies, electric pool vehicles, and a 15% reduction in our own business emissions in just one year.

A Team Effort

This award is a true testament to the hard work of our brilliant planning team and the trust of our clients and partners. As one stakeholder put it:

“They designed a high-quality scheme, taking a positive and proactive approach, highly professional throughout and communication second to none.”

We are incredibly proud of the difference our work makes in creating homes and communities where people can thrive later in life.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. Here’s to continuing to raise the bar in senior housing, together!

The Judge’s Comment

WWA’s success in securing planning consent within a National Park to transform a former local authority care home into an Affordable Extra Care scheme highlights both their expertise in navigating complex planning processes and the growing market demand for contemporary models of senior living.

Article link to WWA’s feature article on the Health Investor Seniors Housing Awards website:
WWA Planning: Shaping Communities Through Senior Housing