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Part of The Civic Trust Network

The 50th Civic Trust Awards are now open, and all entries should be made online via www.civictrustawards.org.uk.
The website caries full instructions for entrants and allows the submission of photographs and supporting documents, which can be simply and easily uploaded.  The closing date for entries is 2nd September 2008.

The Civic Trust gives four categories of Award:

Awards - are given to schemes that are of benefit culturally, socially or economically whilst making an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment. Winners of Civic Trust Awards receive a certificate and a plaque for permanent display on the award-winning site.

Commendations - are given to schemes that are of benefit culturally, socially or economically whilst making a valuable contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment. Winners receive a certificate.

Mentions - are given to schemes that are of benefit culturally, socially or economically whilst making a recognised contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment. Winners receive a certificate.

Special Awards – are given to Award winning schemes which show excellence in a specific category or field.  Entrants can ask to be considered for any number of Special Awards, which are sponsored by supporters.  Winners receive a plaque and certificate. Categories include:

• Inclusive Design Award
• CentreVision Award
• City of Culture Award (sponsored by the Civic Trust)
• Hard Landscaping Award (sponsored by Charcon)
• Housing Award (sponsored by English Partnerships)
• NightVision Award (sponsored by the Civic Trust)
• Northern Ireland Public Realm Award (sponsored by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland)
• Partnership Award (sponsored by English Partnerships)
• Streets Award (sponsored by CABE)
• Sustainability Award (sponsored by Aggregate Industries)

This year, winners included the renovation of the Camden Roundhouse, The National Assembly for Wales and the refurbishments at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, and St George’s Hall, Liverpool.
The Sustainability Award was won by the National Cold War Exhibition, RAF Museum Cosford, whilst the massive 50 storey, 169m high Hilton Tower, Manchester, and the tiny ‘Atom’, a new landmark in Wycoller Country Park, Pendle, which is just 3.5m high were also successful.

Bourbon Lane, Shepherd’s Bush won the English Partnerships Housing Award and Nottingham City Council received two awards for its remodelling of Old Market Square. Sheffield City Council won the CABE Streets Award for ‘The Gold Route’. a pedestrian route through the city.

The Partnerships Award for bringing various organisations together on a single project was won by Wentworth Castle & Stainborough Park, Barnsley, Yorkshire.

Notes for Editors

ENDS

For more information, journalists should contact Steve Rackett, PR & Campaigns Manager, the Civic Trust, 020 7539 7910 or 07913 83302

About the award
Launched in 1959, the Civic Trust Awards is one of the oldest built environment award schemes in Europe. From cafes and churches to housing and hospitals, the Civic Trust has rewarded over 5,500 buildings which have made a difference to local people and their communities by providing the design and facilities which have made better places for people.

The Civic Trust Awards are unique. They recognise the best in the built environment, from architecture to planning, townscape to infrastructure – but they are about so much more than this. They recognise the public realm in its wider context, and our continuing belief that development should be for the benefit of people – those who use it, and those who just pass by.

Our winners are not simply architecturally advanced, exciting, innovative or striking. They are also of benefit to their local community, and we strive to ensure that every entry is assessed by a local person, whose role is to canvass and represent the views of the people who use or see the building as part of their environment.

Awards are given annually, with this year’s deadline for entry being 2nd September 2008. Judging takes place in October and November, with the Awards being announced in March.
All the entries are judged by a local team, which includes an architect, inclusive design assessor, local authority co-ordinator and local advisor. Their recommendations are passed to a National Panel, which comprises built environment professionals, who confirm the level of Award.