Council launches planning design awards

The people behind new buildings and developments across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale are being invited to put themselves forward for the council’s new design awards.

Heywood’s Ian Simpson, famous for designing buildings like Urbis and the Beetham Tower in Manchester, gave a talk to a group of architects, developers, planners and regeneration professionals at an event to launch the awards at Middleton Old Grammar School on Boarshaw Road.

The 'Better Design, Better Places' event focussed on the important relationship between good design and building successful communities.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, cabinet member for environment and sustainability on Rochdale Council, said: “We know that better design creates better places to live in. Good design is not a luxury add-on though, it has to be at the core of what we build. Peoples’ behaviour is heavily influenced by the environment they live in, so good design helps us to ensure that our citizens use what we build in a positive way.

“This is why the whole issue of design has risen up the planning agenda in recent years and we want to be at the forefront of this movement. We want to accept nothing less than the highest quality of design in all new developments across the borough.”

There are three categories for the Rochdale Borough Design Award 2009 and applications are invited from projects completed and occupied between July 2007 and December 2008.

Best Design Award – recognising the best-designed building or development.

Best Conservation Award - recognising excellence in design that is in sympathy with a heritage context.

People’s Award – awarded to a development or open space that the public feels has been particularly successful.

The closing date for entries is 1 March 2009. A panel of judges with architectural and design expertise will shortlist winners in the spring. Residents will also be asked to vote for the People’s Award from a shortlist of finalists.

Entry forms are available by calling Andrew Eadie on 01706 924371 or writing to Planning and Regulation Service, Rochdale Borough Council, Floor 2, Telegraph House, Baillie Street, Rochdale OL16 1JH.