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: