Four inspirational projects that have helped establish their area as a great place to live, work, visit or do business have been shortlisted for a prominent Government award.

The Creating the Future Awards 2008 recognise outstanding achievement in the delivery of sustainable communities.

The organisations shortlisted in the Vision for Place category, sponsored by Sovereign Housing Group, have led the way at local or regional level to create a shared vision of place. They are:

• Complex Development Projects: Electric Wharf, Coventry
  Transformation of a redundant Victorian power station and depot into live/work apartments, low-energy homes and offices, with the aim of creating a vibrant living and working community and aiding regeneration of the surrounding area.
  
• Urban Splash: New Islington, Manchester’s Millennium Community
  Ten-year regeneration project aiming to create up to 1,700 new homes, a new school, health centre, canal arrangement and park in a run-down 30-acre site in Manchester.
  
• River Nene Regional Park
  Creation of a green infrastructure network of environmental projects across Northamptonshire, which together with innovative developments such as a landscape character assessment planning tool has been influential in guiding the growth of several towns.
  
• The Vassall Centre, Bristol
  Conversion of a former 43,000 sq ft military hospital in Bristol into a pioneering ‘barrier-free’ space which offers workspace and conference facilities for people with any form of impairment.

Over 150 public, private and third sector organisations submitted entries to the awards, which highlight contributions from projects and individuals that help create and maintain great places.

Thirty-one projects across England have been shortlisted in seven award categories, including: bringing people together; innovative engagement; inspiring young people; low-carbon development; mixed communities; schools and the community; and vision for place.

The winners will be announced on 5th June 2008 at an awards dinner at the Roundhouse, London.

Published 10 April 2008
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