Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Kingsbury is delighted to receive the Best Community Led Project Award from London Planning Awards 2015. Inspired by Acharya Swamishree Maharaj, the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Complex located in Brent, has been a labour of love and devotion by the whole community. The awards ceremony was held at City Hall in London on 3rd February 2015.

The London Planning Awards are organised by London First and are judged by a panel of four judges representing: Boris Johnson, Mayor of London , John Allan CBE, Chairman, London First, Janet Askew, President, Royal Town Planning Institute, Mayor Jules Pipe, Chair, London Council.

They celebrate outstanding contribution to the capital and showcase leading examples of urban renaissance in London. Led by our Grand Opening motto – Inspiring the community – this award is especially cherished as it represents the power of what London communities can achieve. During this project, Londoners from all backgrounds volunteered and contributed their knowledge, time and energy. We could not have built such an iconic addition to London's skyline without the support of our Project Design Development Team; our community throughout the UK and the world; and of course the blessings of our Supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayan.

The facilities and multifunction hall already are being utilised by the local community and the Mandir has welcomed over 15,000 visitors to date. Below is just some of what the Complex has come to mean to our congregation:

What others said about winners of the London Planning Awards 2015

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson: "Now that London is home to more people than ever before, bold and innovative planning has taken on an even more crucial role. As our city continues to grow, the cranes are swinging into action on schemes both big and small and the variety of projects showcased through the London Planning Awards gives me great confidence that the capital has the vision and talent to be able to embrace our incredible population growth and remain the best big city on the world."

Baroness Jo Valentine, CEO, London First: "These awards show what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together. We now have a great opportunity to focus this teamwork on London's Opportunity Areas and Intensification Areas. The Mayor has earmarked these sites for large scale development and they could deliver 300,000 homes and almost 600,000 jobs. Such developments will help sustain London's rapid growth and the planning sector will be crucial to unlocking their potential."

Cllr Claire Kober, London Councils' executive member for infrastructure and regeneration: "The London Planning Awards show how much outstanding work is happening to make our great city and its neighbourhoods even greater in the future. Councils, working in partnership with developers, public bodies and others, are uniquely placed to ensure that through new schemes, the maximum economic, social and environment value is unlocked and the right balance between these is achieved. On behalf of London Councils, I'd like to offer my congratulations to the winners and all those who were shortlisted."

Janet Askew, President, RTPI: "The awards highlight truly exceptional examples of planning and celebrate the contribution that planners are making across London. With an extraordinarily strong shortlist it has been very difficult to pick individual winners when the impact of projects has been so high. I think we have selected some remarkable examples of great planning that are making a real difference in communities."

With thanks to our Project Design Development Team including Epsilon - Project Management and QS, Loates - Taylor and Shannon - Architect, Haskins Robinson Waters - Structural Engineer, Max Fordham - Building Services Engineer, MLM - Building Control Consultant, Tibbalds - Planning Consultant, Motion - Transport Consultant.