The date for the 2002 greenleaf housing awards presentation ceremony has been announced by the organisers, the New Homes Marketing Board. Presentation of the awards will take place at lunchtime on Friday 16 May at the Daily Mail head offices in Derry Street, Kensington, London.
The greenleaf awards recognise the importance housebuilders place on the creation of a whole living environment and not just building new homes. The greenleaf judges consider aspects including the use of green space, retention of natural features including trees, hedges, ponds and streams and efforts to create a new landscape. Schemes do not become eligible for an award until three years after they have been sold to ensure that the developers initial efforts are not simply cosmetic.
Of the 137 developments originally submitted by developers from across England, Scotland and Wales, 59 are still in contention for an award. The final phase of judging which involves a personal visit by a greenleaf judge to every development still in contention takes place in March and April. The judging panel meets on 16 April to agree the developments that are of sufficient quality to receive an award.
"The greenleaf awards go from strength to strength, said Professor Chris Baines, the well-respected environmentalist, writer and broadcaster who chairs the greenleaf judging panel. With the recent publication by the office of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Sustainable Communities - building for the future report, the announcement of huge numbers of additional homes to be built, particularly in the south east, and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) becoming official champions for urban green space, the inspiring examples of best practice in housing landscape will make greenleaf a more valuable influence than ever.
Sustainable Development must work within walking distance of home, and that is especially true for older people, Professor Baines added. I am particularly pleased, therefore, that Help the Aged will be sponsoring a special award this year for the greenleaf winner that best illustrates the role new homes can play in making their local environment greener, cleaner and safer."
This year, for the first time, there will be an award given to the best development in Scotland, Wales and each of eight English regions.
In addition to the new regional awards, the Hanson award for the overall winner will also be presented, as will a series of awards by other organisations associated with greenleaf the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, National Urban Forestry Unit (NUFU), English Partnerships and the Tree Council. For the first time at the awards this year there will be an award for design, presented by Design for Life and also the best greenleaf retirement scheme presented by Help the Aged.
