21 Jul 2009

'GREEN' HMR PROJECT MAKES NATIONAL AWARDS SHORTLIST!

An environmental project in the Housing Market Renewal area of Anfield/Breckfield in Liverpool has been shortlisted in the Transformation Award category of The Sustainable Housing Awards 2009, organised by national housing magazine - Inside Housing.

This awards scheme focuses on the best "green" social housing projects constructed in the UK, and the organisations responsible for them. The trophies will be presented at an "eco" awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in London's Park Lane on Friday 23^rd October 2009.

The Gilman Street project treated a demolition site in the shadow of Liverpool Football Club where the usual measures had failed.

Local Environmental Group Jigsaw (part of Liverpool Housing Trust) engaged with children, young people and other residents and created a beautiful wildflower garden with a path for pedestrian traffic on football match days.

Dave Lambert, Managing Director, Liverpool Housing Trust said:

"The Gilman Street Project overcame a number of challenges for people in the area. Jigsaw worked with local people who now think of the site as 'their garden.' We're pleased to say that residents have been very satisfied with the results and we're very proud to have been shortlisted!"

Pauline Davis the Managing Director of NewHeartlands, the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder for Merseyside said:

"The Gilman Street project was an innovative way of solving the problems residents were having with the site regarding illegal parking and anti social behaviour. We're delighted it has been recognised at a national level and wish it good luck in the awards!"

Ted Stevens, Inside Housing's events director and the organiser of the awards said:

"We've had a terrific response, with hundreds of entries and The Gilman Street Project has done brilliantly to get shortlisted from such a huge field. Britain is leading the way on sustainable housing and innovative building techniques so we're delighted we're able to organise a ceremony to reward that organisations that are delivering best practice".

Last year nearly 500 people attended the event, which was hosted by green campaigner, comedian and impersonator Alistair McGowan.

The sponsors of the awards include eps, United House, Axis, Sitex Orbis, Tarmac, Profile 22 and NHBC

If you want to find out more about the awards, the judges and each of the finalists go to insidehousing.co.uk and click on the events section.