1 February 2011 Last updated at 04:58 ET

Bermondsey Square voted London's best public space

The ruins of Bermondsey Abbey lie beneath the square

One of London's newest developments, Bermondsey Square, has been awarded the title of best public space at the city's annual planning awards.

Bermondsey Square fought off competition from Waterside Gardens in Crayford, Braham Street Park, east London and the Oxford Circus diagonal crossings and improvements.

The London Planning Awards, hosted at City Hall, are the capital's major showcase for planning in both public and private sectors.

Organised by London First in conjunction with the mayor, the Royal Town Planning Institute and London Councils, it celebrates the contribution of planners to the city's urban environment.

Handing out the award Deputy Mayor of London Sir Simon Milton said: "The revitalised square integrates successfully public and privately managed space and provides a flexible arena for everyday activities and special events, whilst continuing to host Bermondsey's historic weekly antiques market."

Stolen goods

Other awards given out at the ceremony included best new place to live, best conceptual project and best historic building management.

When the shortlist was announced in November, Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "I am particularly pleased to see the emphasis placed on improving our green and open public spaces, which are vital to my vision for London to become the world's best big city."

Icosahedrons bollards provide unique seating in the square.

Bermondsey Square, once an abandoned area close to Tower Bridge, is now home to a hotel, office space, apartments, cinema, bookshop, supermarket and restaurant.

The square also hosts weekly farmers' and antique markets.

The Bermondsey Square Antiques Market, originally the Caledonian Market in north London, can trace its roots back to 1855 where it became famous for where thieves could sell their goods with impunity (a medieval royal license meant that stolen goods bought here did not have to be returned).

Bermondsey Square was constructed in 2009 by Igloo and designed by East architects.

The design allows flexible seating, an outdoor cinema, space for markets and a boules pitch.

Construction of the square took place with the presence of English Heritage and archaeological contractors PCA as the site itself is a Schedule Ancient Monument.

The ruins of Bermondsey Abbey, founded in 1082, lie beneath the square.

The abbey was closed by Henry VIII and dismantled in the 16th Century by Sir Thomas Pope.

Any ruins had to be protected from construction work and any new archaeology had to be recorded and excavated.