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BURA unveiled the winners of the 2007 Awards for Best Practice in Regeneration today, with the Ashton Community Trust picking up one of the awards.
This year a record nine projects have been chosen for recognition, including winners from all four countries of the UK. England boasts five winning projects, Wales two, Northern Ireland one and Scotland one.
Jon Ladd, Chief Executive of BURA commented:
"The quality of this year’s winners sets new standards in terms of best practice in regeneration. I am especially delighted at the fact that for the first time in six years we are able to recognise projects from all of the home nations.
"This demonstrates both that best practice is being developed on a trans-national basis and the commitment of sponsors English Partnerships, Scottish Enterprise, the Welsh Assembly Government Department for the Economy and Transport and the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland to disseminating previous lessons learnt and expediting future change."
This community-led organisation is taking great strides in tackling poverty and deprivation in one of the most confrontational areas in Northern Ireland. The trust has seized opportunities to respond to local needs and now owns a range of community buildings employing 100 people, most of whom are local residents.
On 30 October the Trust will open a new children centre, creating 18 jobs and providing over 70 childcare places. The Trust are also developing a derelict block which was a peace line to include retail units, community facilities and apartments. The apartments will be sold to provide the income to build debt-free. This project will regenerate the peace-line and return life to a derelict space.
Margaret Ritchie, Minister for Social Development in Northern Ireland, expressed her delight at Ashton Community Trust’s success. She stated:
"Regeneration is one of my key priorities, and Ashton Community Trust is a shining example of what can be achieved when local people and local communities are empowered and supported in tackling issues of disadvantage.
Ashton Community Trust has made a real difference to the lives of local communities in North Belfast, and this is to be applauded."
Paul Roberts Chief Executive of Ashton Community Trust stated:
"We are extremely proud to receive this highly prestigious award in recognition of the great work being done by everyone associated with the Trust. It’s taken many years of effort by a lot of dedicated people and we are now seeing the fruits of that work."
To be considered for recognition, projects or schemes had to demonstrate that they fulfilled the following criteria:
The British Urban Regeneration Association has provided a forum for the exchange of ideas, experience and information for the diverse regeneration sector since 1990. As the leading independent champion for those involved in regeneration, BURA’s unique strength comes from its diverse membership, which spans the private, public, voluntary, community and academic sectors.
BURA identifies and promotes best practice in regeneration, guiding and inspiring the sector’s evolution and exploring the social, economic and environmental issues involved for all parties. BURA’s dynamic cross-sector think-tank, the SDF, helps to shape and influence regeneration policy.
The Association offers national and regional networks, pioneering and practical modular training programmes, diverse and constructive events and campaigns addressing key issues on the regeneration agenda, in particular the long-term development of the regeneration workforce itself.
The awards will be presented at a celebratory dinner to be held at the Riverbank Park Plaza in London on the evening of 29 November 2007 where you can find out more about this year’s exceptional winning schemes and celebrate the growing body of best practice in regeneration throughout the United Kingdom.
The event is open to everyone. Please contact BURA for further information or to book your place on 020 7539 4030.
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