RTPI North East Regional Awards 2009

Joint Award for Regeneration Projects in Alnwick and Berwick

Since 1986 RTPI North East and its predecessor, the RTPI Northern Branch, have organised annual awards schemes to recognise and celebrate planning achievements in the region.

It has not normally been the practice to start out our annual awards round with a predetermined selection of separate categories. However, in some years a theme emerges after the entries have been appraised. This was the case in 2009, and the judges decided to make a Joint Award to two schemes which provide complementary examples of regeneration in historic country towns, both situated in Northumberland.  Photograph by Tim Kirton, Northumberland Co. Co.

RTPI NE Joint Award Winners 2009

The Regeneration of St James’s Church Hall, Alnwick
(entered by Isos Housing Ltd)

St James’s Church Hall is an attractive stone-built building set within the grounds of a Grade 2 Listed Church, which has been well converted into 9 apartments for affordable rent, maintaining traditional features, including original stained glass windows. As part of the wider benefits of the scheme the Church itself has been completely refurbished. Council staff had agreed to allow a planning requirement for affordable homes to be switched from another location in Alnwick. This is the second year running that Isos Housing has been involved in one of RTPI NE’s award winning schemes.

and

Berwick WorkSpace, Berwick upon Tweed
(entered by the new Northumberland County Council on behalf of its predecessor authorities, Northumberland County Council and Berwick upon Tweed Borough Council)

WorkSpace is a business incubation and enterprise centre, located in the centre of Berwick. The provision of a new building within the historic core was of considerable sensitivity, yet to fulfil its economic purpose a modern facility capable of attracting mobile businesses was needed. Particular attention was given to establishing a building form which would fit in with Berwick’s courtyard pattern. The final development also adheres to high standards of sustainability.

Commendation
Eldon Square Shopping Centre – Phase 1 Redevelopment
(entered by Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners on behalf of Capital Shopping Centres)

Phase 1 of the redevelopment and refurbishment of the 1970’s Eldon Square Shopping Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne comprises the replacement of a gloomy “underground” bus station with a new shopping mall and much improved, light and airy bus station. Old Eldon Square has been transformed, with new outward facing restaurants and cafes, radically improved pedestrian circulation, seating and a better setting for the existing War Memorial.

The RTPI’s national President, Martin Willey, and the RTPI NE Chair, Mike Mealing, visited all three of the above schemes during the President’s visit to the region on 15 and 16 October, and presented the winners with commemorative certificates at the Annual Dinner in Durham on 16 October 2009.

A full copy of the 2009 Awards Scheme Judges’ Report is available on the RTPI NE website.

Author:

Kay Lough

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

16-Oct-09

Categories:

Nations & Regions 

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