Cranbrook shortlisted for LGC Awards 2017
Local Government Chronicle (LGC) has announced that East Devon’s new town of Cranbrook has been shortlisted in the ‘Housing Initiative’ category of their prestigious 2017 LGC Awards.
Cranbrook is in the running for another industry accolade, having been selected by a panel of judges who considered entries from all over the UK for the LGC Awards 2017.
In order to be shortlisted, the submission had to clearly demonstrate how East Devon District Council alongside partners Exeter City Council, Devon County Council, Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) plus the development consortium for Cranbrook were devising imaginative solutions to getting homes built and tackling some of challenges in the housing market that have eluded local authorities in other parts of the county.
By selecting Cranbrook, the panel recognised that facilities and infrastructure including schools and public transport were made possible by innovative partnership working. Most notably with help from the Homes and Communities Agency who initially funded place-making facilities including the primary school, low carbon heating and other major infrastructure thus unlocking development as a key to Cranbrook’s success to date.
Cllr Paul Diviani, Leader of East Devon District Council said: “It is great news that Cranbrook has again been recognised by the LGC. Our submission for their 2017 awards also looked at the way we have resourced the development of our new town and have adapted that support as the town grows and its needs have changed.”
“Many local people have transformed their lives by making Cranbrook their home. The energy and enthusiasm is wonderful and all the time we are seeing residents come together to get involved and find new ways of doing things. We have gone from a population of zero to 1,500 homes in just 5 years. We have learnt a lot and we are listening, adapting being ambitious and looking to the future.”
Leading Example
The progress at Cranbrook has been praised by Government as a leading example of how developments can benefit local communities by providing much needed new homes and drive economic growth by attracting further investment and jobs to an area.
Cranbrook has also received several RTPI Awards and in 2015 won best both Best Affordable Housing Scheme and Best Overall Development in Inside Housing’s Top 60 Awards.
By 2031, Cranbrook will have around 8,000 homes with a population of around 20,000.
East Devon’s Cranbrook entry is the only one to be shortlisted in the South West and is up against 7 other local authorities including Brighton & Hove City Council, Gateshead Council, Leeds City Council, London Borough of Lewisham, Rochdale Borough Council, Telford & Wrekin Council and Wakefield Council.
There will be another round of judging in January 2017 and all finalists will find out if they have won a LGC Award when the results are announced on 8 March 2017 at a ceremony in London.
For more information visit: https://awards.lgcplus.com or follow @EEDGrowthPoint and @eastdevon on Twitter.
