The shortlist for the Essex Housing Awards 2023, held in association with Birketts, has been officially unveiled.
On the day of judgment, a distinguished panel comprising leading housing professionals and advisors engaged in an invigorating discussion, reviewing a record number of entries vying for the coveted awards. The awards have grown in prominence and scope, as they noted a larger number of private businesses - builders, housing associations, local authorities, contractors, agents, and voluntary sector organisations, have applied.
The essence of the Awards lies in acknowledging and celebrating excellence in developments, services, and individuals from the public, private, and voluntary sectors while encouraging best practices throughout the county. This year, there are 12 award categories in total, an increase from previous editions, with the addition of four new categories. Particularly noteworthy is the introduction of The Mo Slade Rising Star Award, sponsored by Anderson, which garnered the highest number of entries among all the categories.
The judges were delighted to observe that an award that required colleague nominations received the highest level of engagement, reflecting the camaraderie and spirit of the industry. Moreover, as all the nominees had to be young professionals, it effectively showcased the rising generation's influence and vigour in the housing sector.
The shortlisted individuals will be eagerly looking forward to the glamorous Awards Ceremony in November. This event will serve as an occasion to celebrate their outstanding achievements and resilience over the past year while also envisioning a bright and promising future for the industry as a whole.
Brian Horton, Director at Horton Strategic Limited said:
"It was a privilege to serve again this year as the Chair of the Judging Panel for the Essex Housing Awards. Each judge brings an expert perspective on the housing and development sector, and their unique contributions enriched the judging process, creating a knowledge-sharing environment."
“I must admit, some decisions were tough to make, but I am confident that the selected awardees truly exemplify excellence in the housing and development sector. We face significant uncertainty in the Housing market, but the awards show that we are in great shape to weather the storm and continue to make a positive difference.”
Alastair Pollock, Strategy Coordinator at Essex Developers Group & South Essex Housing Group said:
"It has been both a privilege and a pleasure to be a category judge this year."
“The competition was fierce as Essex continues to evolve with numerous ground breaking developments across the county, and it's exciting to observe the transformative impact these projects will have on our community."
“Congratulations to all the participants, and I look forward to celebrating the outstanding accomplishments at the awards ceremony."
The shortlisted entries are as follows:
Small Housing Schemes (1 – 24 homes)
Bluebird - HARP
Horkesley Hamlet - ADP & Mersea Homes
Loewen Road, Chadwell St Mary - Thurrock Council
Shenfield Library - Essex Housing
The Meadows (Ardale) - Kind & Company
Valerie Lodge - Sempra Homes Ltd (Basildon Borough Council)
Woodhall Road - CHP
Medium Housing Schemes (25 – 100 homes) sponsored by Qualis Group
Abbey Corner - Peabody
Manor Grove, Silver End - Sanctuary
Mount Hill Development - Eastlight Community Homes
Shernbroke, Waltham Abbey - Essex Housing
Transforming Independent Living - Epping Forest District Council
Large Housing Schemes (101+ homes) sponsored by Birketts
Abbey Meadows, Great Wakering - Sanctuary
Aylett's Green - Cavendish Consulting
Beechwood Village - Pollard Thomas Edwards
Chesterwell - ADP & Mersea Homes
Excellence in Design & Placemaking sponsored by Latimer by Clarion Housing Group
Beechwood Village - Pollard Thomas Edwards
Bluebird - SKArchitects
Horkesley Hamlet - ADP
The Meadows (Ardale) - Kind & Company
Excellence in Construction Skills sponsored by CHP
Essex Careers Magazine - Essex County Council
Essex Multiply and Specialist Trades Company Group (STC Group) - Essex County Council
Mears Trade School - Thurrock Council and Mears
South Essex Construction Skills Academy - Southend-on-Sea City Council
Climate Action – Decarbonisation / Retrofit
Chadwell High Rise Retrofit Project - Thurrock Council and Kensa
Southend-on-Sea City Council Retrofit Action - Southend-on-Sea City Council
Climate Action – Low / Zero Carbon in New Homes sponsred by Cala Homes
Bluebird - HARP
Harewood Regeneration - Brentwood Borough Council
Net Zero Carbon New Home - Essex County Council in partnership with EPOA
Ryedene - Sempra Homes Ltd (Basildon Council)
Meeting Housing Need
Acquisitions, Private Sector & Resettlement Project - Southend-on-Sea City Council
Bluebird - HARP
Cricketers Court - Basildon Borough Council
Essex Housing Team - Essex Housing
Mount Hill Development - Eastlight Community Homes
Neighbourhood Transformation
Brookfield Close - Brentwood Borough Council
Colchester Borough Homes
The Parkside Community Hub - CHP
Digital Impact
Estuary Housing Association's Digital Platforms
HGGT Your Quality of Life
Housing & Development Professional of the Year sponsored by Kind & Company
Heather Blanchard, CHP
Kate Gerrish, CHP
Leanne Turner, Epping Forest District Council
Melanie Keys, Sempra Homes Ltd (Basildon Borough Council)
Paul Gayler, Chelmsford City Council
The Mo Slade Rising Star Award sponsored by Anderson
Ben Harrison, Southend-on-Sea City Council
Charlotte Wright, Epping Forest District Council
Daniel Leach, Eastlight Community Homes
Danielle Simpson, SKAchitects
Faye Creasey, Southend-on-Sea City Council
Holly McCauley, Epping Forest District Council
James Foster, Estuary Housing Association
Luke Rapley, Basildon Borough Council
Thomas Scotting, CHP
The Essex Housing Awards 2023 are in partnership with Essex Developers Group (EDG) and South Essex Housing Group (SEHG), in association with headline partner Birketts, and sponsored & supported by Anderson, Cala Homes, CHP, Kind & Company, Latimer by Clarion Housing Group, Qualis Group and Rentplus.
For more information on the awards programme, visit here:
