A regeneration scheme which has completely transformed the Eastern approach to Loughborough town has been recognised with a prestigious industry award.
Loughborough Eastern Gateway, as the area is known, has seen 11 acres of derelict land surrounding the town’s train station transformed by Loughborough-based contractor and developer, William Davis Ltd together with Charnwood Borough Council.
The £20m regeneration, which included a new link road from Nottingham Road to Meadow Lane facilitating a new station forecourt, together with an impressive affordable housing scheme on behalf of Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA), was named Regeneration Scheme of the Year at the 2012 ProCon awards. Judges praised Loughborough Eastern Gateway for its role as a catalyst for the total regeneration of the area, greatly enhancing the approach to the town via rail with these stylish, contemporary new buildings.
On receiving the award, sponsored by Howes Percival, Richard Cornes, partnerships director at William Davis said: “Loughborough Eastern Gateway is an exemplar project which demonstrates what can be achieved through public and private sector collaboration; we are extremely pleased this has been further endorsed by our peers in the wider construction industry. As a long-standing business based in the town, it’s been very rewarding to be involved in such an important local project and demonstrate our ongoing commitment towards inward investment. We take great pride in what has been achieved here.”
The housing scheme, Thomas Cook Place, was officially opened in May 2012 by key project partners and the Mayor and Mayoress of Charnwood. Comprising 91 new houses and apartments for shared ownership and Rent to HomeBuy, Thomas Cook Place was designed around the Home Zone concept, meaning cars and pedestrians use a shared surface, and was the first of its kind in Leicestershire.
Paul Moat, technical service director at NCHA added: “The Loughborough Eastern Gateway scheme is an excellent example of Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA), as a traditional housing association, working with a variety of partners to deliver a scheme which had a number of challenges ranging from complex land assembly through to multiple funding streams. The result is the comprehensive regeneration of this area of Loughborough, benefiting not only the 91 families who we have housed, but also the local train and road users.”
Councillor David Slater, leader of Charnwood Borough Council said: “This is a tremendous accolade which was achieved thanks to partnership working at its best. The Council fought hard to unlock the funding needed to make this happen for our residents and we are now seeing the fruits of that labour with our partners. The Eastern Gateway scheme not only improves the quality of life for local people, but it has made the eastern approach to Loughborough far more attractive and inviting to visitors. We’re absolutely delighted and proud to be part of this success.”
The ProCon Awards were presented in front of an audience of over 600 property and construction professionals at The King Power Stadium, Leicester.
