Impressed by a new building? – nominate your favourite now

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Photo: Laura Wild

Rochdale Sixth Form College

Do you have a favourite new building in the borough? It may have a particularly unusual and striking design; it could feature solar panels or other green innovations. Or it could simply blend in really well with its surroundings.

Whatever you like about the building, Rochdale Borough Council want to know.

The annual Rochdale Borough Design Awards, now in their third year, focus on the relationship between good design of new developments and building successful communities.

The eventual winner of the 2010 ‘Rochdale Borough Design Award’ was Rochdale Sixth Form College for its stunning design, and the way it avoids the ‘usual institutional feel’. Bib Knowl Farm in Littleborough won the hotly contested ‘Peoples Design Award.’

Once again this year there are two awards, - the Rochdale Borough Design Award, which will be decided by a panel of experts, and the People’s Design Award, which will be decided by a public vote.

Suggestions of nominations for the 2011 awards are welcome now, and you have until 19 August to make your nomination. To be eligible, the development, which could be a building, public space or a conservation or regeneration project, must have been completed since January 2010 or be nearing completion.

The awards are sponsored by leading UK construction and civil engineering company, Sir Robert McAlpine.

Councillor Martin Burke, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “These popular annual awards are a great way to recognise the best development projects taking place within the borough.”

To nominate a development visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/designawards phone 01706 924371 or pick a nomination form up from your local library or council customer service centre.

Alternatively write to Rochdale Borough Design Awards, Rochdale Borough Council, Strategic Planning, Floor 2, Telegraph House, Baillie Street, Rochdale OL16 1JH.