The stunning designs and high-quality workmanship of Kent’s best new buildings are being celebrated at the Kent Design and Development Awards (KDDA).

Residents and businesses will be asked to nominate structures that highlight design excellence in homes, flats, offices, public buildings and other developments opened in the last three years.

More than 100 guests gathered at the London Golf Club, Ash, near Brands Hatch, for the launch of the KDDA. The awards are jointly organised and sponsored by Kent County Council, DHA planning and development consultants, and Ward Homes.

For more information on the KDDA and how to nominate a favourite new building visit: www.kent.gov.uk/designawards.

Leader of Kent County Council, Paul Carter, said: “We want to recognise the huge range of wonderful and inspiring buildings across Kent. We are enormously privileged in Kent to have so many creative developers, architects and technical teams delivering a wealth of quality buildings. The design awards are an opportunity to celebrate the best of Kent and the extraordinary work that goes on here.

“With a renewed focus on economic growth, it is even more important to ensure that the design quality agenda across Kent is recognised. This helps to attract inward investment and create the conditions needed for sustainable long-term growth in the private sector.

“This together with rising energy costs, quality building design is key to increasing environmental performance, and putting Kent at the leading edge of a lower carbon economy.”
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held in the autumn.

Matthew Woodhead, a Director at DHA planning, said: “DHA planning are delighted to be associated with and sponsor the Awards again this year. Even in a challenging climate there have been a great number of extremely impressive buildings constructed across Kent in the last few years and we feel it is vitally important to celebrate high quality design in the County. Not only does it assist in attracting investment but it also raises aspirations and improves the environment of Kent that we know and love.”

Mark Bailey, Managing Director, Ward Homes, said: "As a major housebuilder that consistently delivers high quality developments, Kent-based Ward Homes are delighted to be sponsoring this highly regarded award scheme. It is an opportunity for the region to showcase the fantastic quality of our built environment which can only lead to a stronger economic outlook which in turn, is beneficial to us all.”

Mr Carter said winners benefit significantly from the publicity surrounding the awards. “Involvement in the Kent Design and Development Awards provides and excellent opportunity to gain media attention and valuable publicity, which will help attract new customers, as well as increase respect from an existing client base. It demonstrates a company’s commitment to design excellence and sustainability.

“Achieving recognition in the awards can also have a positive effect on staff morale, motivation and retention as it acknowledges their contribution to a company’s success.”

There are five main categories and one prize for overall winner:

• Residential, sponsored by RPC Land & New Homes
• Commercial, Industrial and Retail, sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore
• Civils and Infrastructure, sponsored by CTP
• Public Buildings, sponsored by Kent Construction Focus Group
• Environmental Performance, sponsored by Morgan Sindall
• Overall winner ‘Project of the year’, sponsored by DHA planning