CRAZY about the new Kirklees College, love the new conservatory and tearooms at Greenhead Park or inspired by Huddersfield University’s Innovation Centre?
Despite the economic downturn there are plenty of new buildings, large and small, going up in Huddersfield.
And the Examiner and Huddersfield Civic Society have teamed up to boost interest in the town’s modern-day architecture.
The Civic Society has launched its first ever Design Awards and has joined forces with the Examiner to create a special readers’ award.
Civic Society members are currently voting on the main awards but Examiner readers are being asked to nominate their favourite new development.
The building can be large – like the college – or more modest, like the new Merrie England shopfront in Kirkgate.
The only criteria is that the building must have been completed since July 2010 and be located within the old Huddersfield Borough Council boundary.
But, apart from that, anything goes.
Other buildings to consider include the Premier Inn at Aspley, the re-development of the former Destiny Designer Wear shop in Westgate and Thornton Lodge Community Centre in Moorbottom Road.
David Wyles, vice-chairman of the Civic Society, said the awards were all about encouraging people to take a greater interest in their surroundings.
“We want to raise the profile of the town and ensure it keeps getting its share of new investment,” he said.
Mr Wyles admitted he wasn’t a fan of the new Kirklees College but said: “Other people might like it. Ultimately these things come down to personal opinion.”
Society members can vote for their favourite new build, shopfront, refurbishment project or residential development.
The Examiner Readers’ Award allows people to nominate the development which they feel has contributed most towards helping improve the quality and image of the town.
People should nominate the building and explain in no more than 100 words why they like it.
The closing date for nominations is December 31 and the winning development will be chosen by a judging panel consisting of Mr Wyles and society president Richard Ward.
The awards will be unveiled at a ceremony in March.
Nominations should be sent to: Mr R. Huddleston, 3 Booth Bank, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, HD7 5XA or by email to: richardehuddleston@gmail.com.
