The Herald:

FULL HOUSE: The 2017 winners demonstrate the breadth and depth of skill and professionalism on show in the housing sector.

SINCE 2007, The Herald Property Awards for Scotland have been setting the standard for excellence in housebuilding. For more than a decade, developers, industry professionals and sales teams have recognised these awards as the highest accolade achievable in their field.

Now the search is on once again to find the best examples of innovation in new build and regeneration projects across the whole of the country, as well as the highest standards of customer service and professionalism amongst individuals within the industry.

The Herald Property Awards for Scotland are once again taking place in association with SP Energy Networks, which maintains the electricity network across central and southern Scotland, as well as to Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and North Shropshire.

Frank Mitchell, CEO SP Energy Networks said: “SP Energy Networks can help with all elements of getting connected to the electricity network and we are delighted to be associated with The Herald Property Awards again this year.” 

Judging in The Herald Property Awards for Scotland is notoriously rigorous. Headed by Andrew McFarlane, a Chartered Building Surveyor and consultant with DM Hall, the panel is made up of experts drawn from across the property sector.

All entries are physically inspected, not just those that make the shortlist, and as well as assessing build-quality and design, the judges also consider streetscape and how well a development fits within the wider community.

Judges travel to every site, however remote, and in previous years this has included the far north of Scotland and the islands off the west coast. Ian Thomson, Managing Director of Allied Surveyors Scotland which sponsors the Best Family Home Award for developers building less than 50 units per year, said: “Allied Surveyors Scotland are delighted to be part of this wonderful event that recognises the best buildings and the best people involved in our industry.”

Ross & Liddell are sponsors of the Best Luxury Home for developers building more than 50 units per year category. Director Brian Fulton said he was looking forward to the prospect of participating, saying: “Ross & Liddell are delighted to once again sponsor the Property Awards for 2018. The property market remains buoyant with small, medium, and large developers alike all reporting great expectations for the coming year. We look forward to the launch of this year awards with anticipation that entries over the different categories will reflect the enthusiasm exuding from developers and the wider property market.”

The Awards recognise a huge range of skills and benefits within the property sector and among the awards that will be contested this year is a new category designed to highlight best practice within the estate agency sector. 

Estate Agency of the Year titles, sponsored by Scullion Law, will go to those small and large practices deemed by the judges to have established excellent reputations backed up by measurable results. Nicholas Scullion of Scullion Law said the company was delighted to be sponsoring the new award, adding: “Our dedicated team of property professionals offers a truly bespoke conveyancing service to all of our clients, from first time buyers to experienced property developers. We work with a wide range of Estate Agents throughout Scotland and hope this new category gives all of the hard working estate agents the recognition they deserve. We would like to wish everyone the very best of luck with their entries.”

For those that make the final cut, the outcomes will be revealed in a glittering awards ceremony, which will take place on Thursday September 27 at The DoubleTree by Hilton in Glasgow, where the host will be Des Clarke.

This is a major networking event for the industry as well as an opportunity to recognise those within property who are achieving the highest results.
Close Brothers Property Finance sponsors the Best Renovation/Conversion Award which recognises enterprising and sympathetic conversion of a period building into 21st century home. Close Brothers’ James McHugh, (Director Scotland) Direct – Scotland, said: “As we approach our 10th year supporting property developers across Scotland we are delighted to announce our sponsorship of these awards. 

“We have been involved in lots of fantastic projects over the years which continue to demonstrate the depth of talent in the Scottish property sector. These awards give firms the opportunity to share their achievements and we look forward to hopefully celebrating some victories with our clients on the night."

The Scottish Building Society will be supporting The Herald Property Awards for a second year in the Individual New Build category. Paul Alexander, Head of Business Development, said: “The Self-Build sector in Scotland remains vibrant and as one of the few providers of mortgages to those building their own homes, we are keen to support innovation and recognise high quality design across the sector.”

This year’s awards open on Wednesday, April 18 and companies have until Friday, June 1 to submit their entries. Online entry forms can be downloaded from newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/heraldpropertyawards/ for all categories, with the exception of team categories, which must be entered via the website.

Keith Benzie, Client Partner with Space & Time Media, which is sponsoring the Property Team of the Year award, said: “We are delighted to once again be sponsoring the Property Team of the Year Award at this year’s Herald Property Awards for Scotland, and we look forward to celebrating with all the finalists at the awards ceremony in September.”

Calum Miller, New Homes Sales and Marketing Manager of Rettie & Co says: “The Herald Property Awards recognises those in the industry that are best in class. Rettie & Co are delighted to once again sponsor the event and to acknowledge those where best is a bar that can always be raised. As we continue to grow our business in the West of the country, we’re delighted to be able to sponsor the development of the year category.”

These thoughts were echoed by Daw Signs Managing Director Gary Daw who said the awards were “the new homes industry’s most prestigious accolade” and added: “Daw are pleased to work with many of the developers who have entered the final phase of the competition and wish everyone the very best of luck and success.”

Lowther Homes, part of Wheatley Group, is sponsoring the Best Apartment Award which recognises imaginative design solutions for buyers. Managing Director Karen Durnian noted: “It’s been a great year for Lowther Homes as we have brought more quality affordable homes for rent to the market. We’re delighted to be part of The Herald Property Awards again and look forward to seeing the entries and sharing success once more with others across the sector.”

Property development and its role within economic regeneration is also taken into consideration in the awards. 

The Best Regeneration Project recognises schemes of any size that have had a transformational effect on dilapidated buildings, housing schemes or town centres and is sponsored by Scotland’s Towns Partnership. Phil Prentice, Chief Officer, said: “The fast-paced change in our economy is set to create new opportunities in commercial property. Towns and cities will need to adapt quickly to repurpose and develop new formats and structures.

“Residential properties will return to our towns, alongside entertainment and leisure developments, food and drink outlets, co-working facilities, cultural hubs and showroom concessions. At Scotland’s Towns we are happy to be supporting our innovative property industry.”

THIS YEAR'S CATEGORIES

BEST SHOW HOME
SPONSORED BY DAW SIGNS
Judges will be looking for a design scheme which enhances the home’s interior space. Style, colour, fabrics, fixtures and fittings and unusual features are some of the qualities being rewarded.

BEST LUXURY HOME 
FOR DEVELOPERS BUILDING MORE 
THAN 50 UNITS PER YEAR
SPONSORED BY ROSS AND LIDDELL
This category rewards spacious and stylish properties at the top end of the market.  Design, quality of finish, landscaping, fixtures and fittings and location will be combined to create a spacious and well-designed home in the ideal location.

BEST FAMILY HOME 
FOR DEVELOPERS BUILDING MORE THAN 
50 UNITS PER YEAR
SPONSORED BY DAW KITCHENS
Affordability, good value for money and meeting the needs of a family with both young and older children are key criteria in this category. Judges will be looking for adaptability, space saving ideas, safety and convenience in a well located property that has been designed and built with the family in mind.

BEST FAMILY HOME 
FOR DEVELOPERS BUILDING LESS THAN 50 UNITS PER YEAR
SPONSORED BY ALLIED SURVEYORS SCOTLAND
Affordability, good value for money and meeting the needs of a family with both young and older children are key criteria in this category. Judges will be looking for adaptability, space saving ideas, safety and convenience in a well located property that has been designed and built with the family in mind.

BEST APARTMENT
SPONSORED BY LOWTHER HOMES, PART OF 
WHEATLEY GROUP
This category will reward a single, one-off building or scheme comprising apartments. Judges will consider the layout, design, storage, built-in features and interior specification and target market. The apartment should offer flexible living and convenience and successfully meet the needs of the target market.

BEST RENOVATION/ CONVERSION
SPONSORED BY CLOSE BROTHERS PROPERTY FINANCE
This recognises enterprising development or sympathetic conversation of a dated or derelict property which retains the best features of the original building while creating a modern home appropriate to 21st century living. Judges will consider the exterior and interior appearance as well as interesting adaptation of original features.

INDIVIDUAL NEW BUILD OR 
SMALL DEVELOPMENT
SPONSORED BY SCOTTISH BUILDING 
SOCIETY 
An individual new build property or small development (maximum of 10 units) in any style and setting will be rewarded in this category. Entries will be judged on the  quality of design, layout, location, features and specification and energy efficiency.

BEST REGENERATION PROJECT
SPONSORED BY SCOTLAND’S 
TOWNS PARTNERSHIP
Open to projects of all sizes and scales. An example of such projects could include the regeneration of dilapidated buildings, housing schemes or town centres. Entries should show innovative use of brown field sites as well as architectural design and consideration for green issues. The project should also demonstrate value for money and the way in which the area has been revitalised for those who live and work there. 

PROPERTY TEAM OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY SPACE AND TIME MEDIA
This category will reward an outstanding team supporting the delivery of homes through supply of materials or services, management of construction sales or marketing. This is open to those either providing services as employees or external consultants. 

ESTATE AGENCY OF THE YEAR 
(SMALL-MEDIUM/LARGE)
SPONSORED BY SCULLION LAW
This award will recognise an Estate Agency that go the extra mile for their clients and are leading the way in Scotland. The judges will be looking for an agency who are innovative in their approach to customer service methods, business trends and marketing. Also how the agency has established themselves as the go to company for their area.

RESIDENTIAL SALES TEAM OF THE YEAR
This category will reward an outstanding sales team in the residential market. Judges will be looking for evidence of the added value the team has brought to buyers, sellers and the sector; what has clearly distinguished the team from others undertaking similar activities; how the team have measured their success, and; how their performance is regarded by others.

RESIDENTIAL LETTING TEAM OF THE YEAR
Judges will be looking for evidence of the added value the team has brought to landlords, tenants and the sector; what has clearly distinguished the team from others undertaking similar activities; how the team have measured their success; how the team have adapted to the impact of regulation in the sector, and; how their performance is regarded by others.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY SP ENERGY NETWORKS
This category is open to registered social housing providers, charity, trust or public body in partnership with a local authority and/or a developer for rent will be looking for evidence of how the development has impacted positively on the lives of local residents and contributed towards the regeneration of the area.

COMMERCIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY SP ENERGY NETWORKS
The aim of this category is to recognise a commercial property which meets the needs of its target market. This could be a new build, renovation or fit out project. Entries should show innovative use of materials and building techniques as well as architectural design and consideration for green issues.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY RETTIE & CO
Site layout, design, range of house types and local amenities are key criteria in this category. Judges will be looking for a development which has been carefully planned to make the most of its location, resulting in a pleasant and desirable place to live. In order to qualify for entry in this category, entries must be received in one of the other categories.

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To enter The Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2018 in association with SP Energy Networks, download a form from www.newsquestscotlandevents.com/heraldpropertyawards  
or to discuss sponsorship contact Kerry Medford on 0141 302 7319 or email: kerry.medford@newsquest.co.uk
Closing date for entries is Friday, June 1, 2018