Search starts for borough’s best new developments

Do you have a favourite new building or regeneration project in the borough?  It may have a particularly unusual and striking design, blend in well with its surroundings or have innovative ‘green’ features.  It could be a user-friendly community development.  Whatever you like about the building, public space, conservation or regeneration project, Rochdale Borough Council wants to know! 

The annual Rochdale Borough Design Awards celebrate the best in new development design, focusing on the relationship between good design and building successful communities. 

The winner of the 2013 ‘Rochdale Borough Design Award’ was Brownhill Learning Community, in recognition of the way the school had been designed to inspire, motivate, raise aspirations and meet the educational needs of pupils.

After a hotly contested online public vote, Rochdale Pioneers Museum won the ‘People’s Design Award’ after it pulled 208 votes and the Sustainable Design Award was won by ASDA Distribution Centre, Kingsway.

The awards, now in their 6^th year will be sponsored by Countryside Properties, after the new home developer renewed its association with the competition.

Once again there will be three awards - the Rochdale Borough Design Award and the Sustainable Development Award, decided by a panel of experts, together with the People’s Design Award, decided by an online public vote.  The judges may also decide to make additional awards. 

Suggestions for the 2014 awards are welcome now, and you have until 31 October to make your nomination.  To be eligible, the development must have been completed since January 2013 or be very close to completion.  Eligible nominated developments will be considered for a shortlist which will go forward for the Rochdale Borough Design Award and for the public vote for the People’s Award.

John Jones, Design Director at Countryside Properties and one of the judges, said they are pleased to be sponsoring the awards again:

“Last year it was really inspiring to see so many fantastic new buildings. Awards like these are a great way to raise the profile of design standards, as well as the benefit and enjoyment it can provide for the community.  We didn’t hesitate to renew our support for these awards and feel it is important to recognise and promote first-class new build projects in order to continue to raise design standards across the borough.”

Council Leader Richard Farnell added:

“I know these awards have been going from strength to strength each year and this shows how much regeneration and improvement to our environment is taking place.  The awards are part of the council’s commitment to recognising design excellence in new buildings and regeneration schemes, and since 2009 we have highlighted some of the best. I look forward to the competition and expect it to be even more competitive this year.”

All kinds of developments can be nominated, including individual buildings, open spaces, conservation schemes and regeneration projects.

To nominate a development visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/designawards

Alternatively write to Rochdale Borough Design Awards, Rochdale Borough Council, Strategic Planning, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU

The nomination form includes details of the judging criteria.