‘Quality’ with green spaces, attractive streets and regeneration are three of the deciding factors in the 2019 Solent Quality Place Awards – and each of the five shortlisted contenders is a best-practice example of all of these.
A regeneration of a historic coastal site, a sympathetic museum extension, a ‘village green’ residential development and a rejuvenation of a city centre brown site are among the five projects that have been chosen by judges as contenders.
Architects, local authorities and other businesses have been putting forward their entries for the last three months and judges have selected five projects for the prestigious shortlist.
Charlotte Webb, Chair of the Quality Places Practitioners’ Group which is organising the event, said: “The quality of entries this year has once again been fantastic and whittling the shortlist down to just five was an incredibly challenging job for our judges. “
While the overall winner of the ‘Quality Place Award’ will be decided by judges, the public has the chance to pick the winner of the ‘People’s Choice Award’.
Councillor Seán Woodward, Chairman of Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH), which has been involved in the awards since their inception, says: “The public vote is as just as important as our judges’ decision. After all, people live and work in these places and spaces and so their decision is vital in choosing the best design and the place which most inspires them.”
Voting for the People’s Choice opens on the 2nd September, so the public can choose their favourite; all designs can be found at www.solentqualityplaceawards.org.uk and votes can be cast until 4th October, simply by clicking on the button next to your favourite scheme
Charlotte added: “There are some well-known schemes within this year’s shortlist and we hope members of the public who use them will get behind their favourites and vote online. It’s a unique opportunity for people to have their say on which are the best developments in the Solent.”
To find out more about this year’s awards and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award visit www.solentqualityplaceawards.org.uk
Notes to editors
- The Solent Quality Places Awards celebrate the best in placemaking in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
- Full information on the shortlisted entries is attached as a separate document.
- The competition is organised by the Quality Places Practitioners Group (made up of design practitioners from all local authorities in the Solent region)
- A public vote will take place at solentqualityplaceawards.org.uk between September 12th and 4th October, where members of the public will be able to vote for the winner of the People’s Choice award