For this category, the judges are looking for developments of social and affordable housing across the North West.

Entrants should submit a project that has incorporated elements such as innovative or novel design features, strong environmental credentials, exemplary build quality, demonstrable examples of placemaking or other benefits to the local community.

The judges will naturally be looking for a scheme that has delivered significant positive social impact to the local area and uses processes that have improved efficiency, sustainability, or resident well-being.

The scheme must have reached completion during the qualifying period to be considered and should be occupied. Part-completed phased schemes will also qualify if a particular phase is completed during the qualifying period.

Given the complexities of the development process, judges will also lend weight towards developers’ skill in putting together the transaction in the first place – i.e. their work on the development brief, their success in gaining planning permission, partnership and joint venture working, etc.

Qualifying period: 1st November 2025 – 31st October 2026

QUESTIONS

1. Detail ONE social or affordable housing development in the North West that your organisation has worked on during the qualifying period. The entry will showcase innovative or novel design features, strong environmental and sustainable credentials, exemplary build quality, and demonstrable examples of placemaking.
2. Identify relevant complexities/achievements in bringing forward this development.
3. What has been the success of the scheme to date? (e.g. off-plan sale, homes now occupied, other measurable KPIs)
4. Outline the strategies you employed to keep the housing affordable for low- to moderate-income households. Describe the financial model that ensures the long-term sustainability of the development.
5. Provide a statement on what makes this development stand out from the crowd.
6. Explain the highlight of the last year for your firm; this statement will say volumes about your company’s progress during the qualifying period.