Chance to nominate borough’s best new developments

Hare Hill Extra Care Facility, Littleborough winner of ‘Rochdale Borough Design Award’ last year

The search is on for the borough’s best new building or regeneration project.

The seventh annual Rochdale Borough Design Awards will celebrate the best in new development design, focusing on the relationship between good design and building successful communities. Rochdale Borough Council is now asking the public for nominations for the 2017 awards.

It could be something that’s caught your eye with an unusual or striking design, a project that blends in well with its surroundings, something with innovative ‘green’ features or perhaps a user-friendly community development. Whatever you like about the building, public space, conservation or regeneration project, the council wants you to tell them.

The awards will be sponsored by Countryside, after the new home developer renewed its association with the competition.

There will be two awards - the Rochdale Borough Design Award, decided by a panel of experts, and the People’s Design Award, decided by an online public vote. The judges may also decide to make additional awards.

Suggestions for the 2017 awards are welcome now, and they can be from any part of the borough – Rochdale, Middleton, Heywood or the Pennines. Nominations close on 4 September.

To be eligible, the development must have been completed since January 2016 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 Design Award.

Last year Hare Hill Extra Care Facility collected the Rochdale Borough Design Award and Middleton Jubilee Library won the People’s Design Award.

Council leader Richard Farnell said: “Since 2009 these awards have helped recognise and raise the profile of design excellence in new buildings and regeneration schemes. We are looking forward to seeing some great examples of designs that have enhanced their surroundings. All kinds of developments can be nominated, including individual buildings, open spaces, conservation schemes and regeneration projects.”

To put forward a development to be considered, visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/designawards where you can download a nomination form.

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

The nomination form includes details of the judging criteria.