TV star Phil Spencer launches Kent Design Awards
Television property expert Phil Spencer has launched the Kent Design Awards 2009-10.
The co-star of Channel 4's Relocation, Relocation, who was born just outside Canterbury, spoke of his love for Kentish buildings at the launch on Thursday.
He joined Cllr Paul Carter, Kent County Council's leader, to urge architects, building companies and developers to enter the prestigious awards.
Asked why they were so important, Mr Spencer told Kent on Sunday: "They celebrate what is happening in Kent, really there is a lot of such distinctive development in Kent but a lot goes unrecognised.
"So, the awards really are to encourage design and encourage sustainability and quality."
There are six categories in the awards, which are held biannually, including residential, commercial, and town/village renaissance, to celebrate effective regeneration work in the county.
A new category has been added this year called Project of the Year in honour of Lord Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, the council's former leader, who died in August last year after a battle with cancer.
The deadline for applications is July 17 when the yet-to-be-announced judges will get together to deliberate before the March 2010 awards ceremony.
Cllr Carter said he expected to receive up to 400 entries.
Mr Spencer said he hoped green technologies would feature in the innovative winning designs.
"It is incredibly important and as the years go by it's something we are all more aware of and paying more attention to," he said.
"It was a big buzzword before the recession came along and the market turned. There was a lot of talk about it and a great amount being achieved by developers and designers.
"People were starting to be prepared to pay for that because that has been the problem - would people be prepared to pay more money for an environmentally sensitive building.
"That was starting to happen but then the markets turned and it is no longer at the front of people's minds.
"But the issue has not gone away, the whole environmental issue is only getting more serious.
"I would hope, well we would all hope as it is all our future, that it will be of great importance in these awards and in years to come."
Speaking to a number of industry figures at the launch event, Mr Spencer could not avoid mentioning the current crisis in the property market.
He said: "For what it is worth at my best guess is that prices should stabilise later this year."
The popular presenter praised the impressive range and quality of buildings in Kent and joked: "I'm lucky enough in my working life to travel the country and explore new areas but I can say without reservation that my favourite location, location, location is Kent."
Spencer, 40, grew up in Littlebourne and found fame presenting the Channel 4 show Location, Location, Location with Kirstie Allsopp.
Cllr Carter said despite the turbulent economic times and the "dire" state of the construction, the awards were important.
He said: "Under the Government housing directives, Kent and Medway have to build up to 7,000 homes every year until 2026.
"It is vital that these homes are built to really high standards of design and sustainability. Good design is essential for quality of life and for helping to build cohesive communities.
"We believe that these awards support Kent businesses at this difficult time.
"They are a great opportunity for local companies to show off what they do well, and will create local jobs in the public and private sectors."
Entry forms are available online at www.kent.gov.uk/kent_design. For more details call 01622 696 875 or email kbdawards@kent.gov.uk.
Source: Yourswale.co.uk
