Orchard Building is the pick of the crop

The Orchard Building at Stranmillis University College in Belfast has become the first winner of a Sustainable Planning award organised in Northern Ireland by the Royal Town Planning Institute NI (RTPI NI) branch and the RSPB.

Submitted by Scott Wilson and Knox & Clayton Architects, the design makes the most of natural lighting, has a biomass boiler for heating and a sustainable urban drainage scheme to reduce water use and pollution.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, SDC’s NI Director, Jim Kitchen, who was also one of the judges, said, "We’re pleased to see the inauguration of this exciting new award, which helps to celebrate the best examples of sustainable planning and construction in Northern Ireland. The industry is beginning to respond to the sustainability agenda and I hope the competition will attract many more high-quality projects next year."

Gavan Rafferty from RTPI said, "The judges had a challenging shortlist of finalists. However, the Orchard Building was a unanimous choice. It’s an exemplar project demonstrating that a publicly funded building can be built within budget while achieving high sustainable development standards. We congratulate Stranmillis College and the government departments involved for their foresight and support for this project."

The other finalists were Hill House, a private dwelling in Co Down that incorporates renewable energy and natural waste treatment, and the Connswater Greenway project to develop a green corridor along three rivers in East Belfast to encourage cycling and walking, connecting communities in the area.

Claire Ferry, RSPB said: "We are delighted that all three finalists demonstrated the breadth of sustainable development, from a single house to a multi-million pound urban regeneration project. The panel wanted to emphasise that although there was one winner, all three must be congratulated – they’re all examples of excellence in their fields. The applicants had obviously thought carefully about the environmental and social impacts of their projects, from minimising water and energy use, tree-planting and reed beds, to involving the local community."

"These are exactly the principles we would like to see not only enshrined in planning policy in Northern Ireland, but also positively encouraged by a Planning Service that really means to deliver inspired and sustainable developments.”

At the awards ceremony the Minister of the Environment, Arlene Foster said: “I am very pleased to be presenting these awards today. The finalists are to be commended for their diverse and innovative approaches to sustainable development in the public, private and community sectors."

"The Planning Service recognises that architects, developers, voluntary organisations and the community are all vital components which play an important part in delivering sustainable development for Northern Ireland. These awards highlight just what can be achieved when sustainability principles are actively integrated into the development process."