A number of developments in west Kent have been revealed as finalists in the 2014 Kent Design and Development Awards.

Eighteen projects from across the county, including sites in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Maidstone have been shortlisted in the awards which celebrate design and construction excellence and take place every two years.

The Skinners' Kent Academy has been shortlisted twice for environmental performance and public buildings (education) and is a development inspired by the circular design of the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

Located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, this has been embraced in the design through the use of natural products and glass.

Hadlow Tower, near Tonbridge, is shortlisted under Public Buildings (Community).

The tallest folly in Britain, this project offered challenges in the requirement to restore and maintain the building for use while remaining sympathetic to its Grade I-listing.

The Sevenoaks area has two finalists: St Michael's School, Otford and Farningham House Cottage for public buildings (education) and residential (minor).

Alex Hicken of DHA Planning, sponsors of the overall Project of the Year award, commented: “The shortlist demonstrates that Kent is home to a wide range of innovative projects. Once again this shows how good quality design is being adopted by the county’s developers and having a positive impact on communities.”

The awards are jointly organised and sponsored by DHA Planning, Kent County Council, and PR and marketing agency Maxim.

Mark Dance, cabinet member for economic development at Kent County Council, said: “Economic improvements, combined with a positive outlook for the county’s property industry, mean there is a lot to celebrate in Kent and we look forward to honouring the winners in November.”

Other categories to be decided include Civils and Infrastructure, and Commercial, Industrial and Retail. The winners of the five categories will go forward to compete for the Project of the Year trophy.

Among the other nominees are East Kent College’s Centre for Environmental Technologies, Kent Institute of Medicine & Surgery in Maidstone and Cyclopark in Gravesend.

DHA Planning, Kent County Council and Maxim are joined in delivering the awards by CTP Consulting Engineers; Kent Construction Focus Group; Liberty Property Trust UK, developers of Kings Hill; and construction and cost management consultants The Woodley Coles LLP.

The four projects shortlisted in Maidstone are: Kent Institute of Medicine & Surgery (KIMS), Hermitage Court Units G & H (both Commercial, Industrial and Retail), Armstrong Road (Residential, Major) and Maidstone High Street (Civils and Infrastructure).

Judges’ site visits are currently under way, with the winners to be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday, November 6.

For more info visit: www.kentdesigndevelopmentawards.co.uk