Corby’s regeneration was recognised once again as it picked up two awards at the RICS Regeneration Awards 2011. The Parkland Gateway project, which includes the Corby East Midlands International Pool, the newly opened Corby Cube, improvements to the ancient Woodland along with the Station and Transport Interchange, beat off stiff competition to win the East Midlands Regeneration Award which recognises exceptional improvements to the built environment which have contributed to the viability of an area.
Corby’s Regeneration then went on to sweep the board and win the East Midlands Project of the Year Award which means Corby will go forward to the national awards in the autumn to compete to win the most prestigious prize in the UK property industry. Representatives from Corby Borough Council, North Northants Development Company (NNDC) and Mace were presented with the awards at the event, held at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel on Thursday 5th May 2011. The Corby East Midlands International Pool project also received a high commendation within the Community Benefit category.
The £34m Civic Hub, £20m Corby East Midlands International Pool and £8.3m station have all been key projects in the Borough’s regeneration programme and have had a positive impact on the town by transforming civic facilities, providing further sporting opportunities and linking the town directly to London.
Corby’s Regeneration projects have been delivered by a public and private sector partnership, including Corby Borough Council, East Midlands Development Agency (emda), East Midlands Trains, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), Hawkins/Brown, Mace, Network Rail, NNDC, S&P Architects, Stagecoach and Willmott Dixon. The partners are all excited about going on to compete to win in the RICS National Awards final later this year.
Simon Evans, Chief Executive of NNDC, said:
“Parkland Gateway has, and will continue to be, the catalyst for inward investment in and around Corby town centre. The Corby East Midlands International Pool, Corby Cube and Station are all iconic buildings that have made a real difference in the Borough and in the regeneration of Corby as a whole. Strong partnership between agencies has delivered the high quality of these new buildings that reflect the ambition of the town and Corby fully deserves this recognition.”
Pat Fawcett, Leader of Corby Borough Council, said:
“This is great news and shows that Corby has come a long way over the past few years. I’m pleased that our town is getting the recognition it deserves, it proves that the regeneration of Corby has really paid off and confirms the difference that our new facilities have made.”
Charles Amies, Head of Area for the HCA, said:
“The Parkland Gateway scheme has brought transformational change to Corby. The comprehensive approach to regeneration is delivering benefits to all areas of local peoples’ lives: economic, retail, leisure, housing and educational. We are working with the Borough to bring to fruition the next phase of the scheme which revolves around our joint landholdings at the soon to be vacated Tresham campus site.”