A project involving BSP Consulting as engineer on the scheme has been named as East Midlands Scheme of the Year at the fbe East Midlands Awards 2018.
New Bolsover Model Village in Derbyshire – nominated by contractor Robert Woodhead Ltd – had also earlier taken the top slot in the Regeneration Award category, at the awards ceremony, sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric and staged at the Albert Hall in Nottingham.
The project has breathed new life into almost 200 19th Century Grade II listed properties and encouraged community engagement in the area – and BSP was proud to be the civil and structural engineer on the scheme.
The judges said: “This project quite frankly blew the judges away. This visionary regeneration project for one of the most socially deprived areas of the UK is an exemplar project.
“The aspirations to give the area a new beginning and tackle its problems to create a thriving community were well and truly met. Community groups have been formed from heritage to allotments groups. The refurbishment programme to 194 Grade II listed properties with complete modernisation and significant energy efficiency improvements have excelled in their delivery. This development has truly changed lives.”
In addition, BSP was also part of the team which took the Residential Award, sponsored by Faithful + Gould. Knights Close, Billesdon, Leicestershire – an affordable housing scheme built for Seven Locks Housing by Geda Construction and designed by Pelham Architects – had BSP Consulting as the engineer. The scheme involved the demolition of vacant and unsightly bed-sit flats previously occupied by elderly people and the construction of 18 mixed-dwelling units to revive the area and enable local residents to remain in their community.
The judges said: “This exceptional development has truly raised the standard for affordable residential schemes.”
Around 140 guests attended the fbe East Midlands Awards, which celebrated some of the best schemes from Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, along with the brightest young professionals in the sector.
BSP Consulting development director Jef Todd said: “BSP was delighted to be a part of the teams that won awards at the fbe East Midlands Awards 2018. Both schemes have much to commend them, and it was great to hear the extremely complimentary comments from the judges.”
