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Peterborough’s Cathedral Square has won a prestigious regeneration award in the regional heat of the annual RICS awards which took place at a glitzy ceremony last night. The scheme, which recently won an award for its lighting design, will now go through to the national finals.

The regeneration award was given for projects that demonstrated exceptional improvements to the built or natural environment and which contributed to an area’s viability. The Chair of the judging panel highlighted the strength of competition in the Regeneration category and the calibre of all the shortlisted submissions. He went on to highlight the winner’s quality of design but also its ability to have a long-term regeneration benefit.

Stephen Boniface FRICS, Chair of the East of England Judges, said: “The Peterborough Cathedral Square project was a bold scheme. The area, once poorly regarded, has now attracted new retailers and high class restaurants as well as providing a fantastic public space.

“It provides a fitting focus for the city centre and appropriately provides a suitable square close by the Cathedral.  It is already becoming the hub of the city and the judges could see the potential for future regeneration arising from this core area.  The judges were extremely impressed with what had been undertaken and had been achieved.”

Having received the award on behalf of the city, Leader of Peterborough City Council Cllr Marco Cereste commented: “We’re delighted – and very proud – to have won this award. It follows a lot of hard work from a great number of people and shows what we can achieve in Peterborough. We will build on this and continue to deliver high quality schemes for the city.”

Steve Bowyer, head of economic development at Opportunity Peterborough, added: “This demonstrates the importance of achieving good design from the outset and carrying that forward to delivery through excellent teamwork. The scheme has achieved all it was intended to do: celebrating the city’s fantastic buildings, creating a focal point for people and attracting new investment into Peterborough.”

The £12 million regeneration scheme incorporated the removal of the old Norwich Union Building to create the new St John’s Square, and the restoration of Cathedral Square as the true civic heart of Peterborough with fountains, an award-winning lighting scheme and establishing a new venue for major city events.

Other shortlisted schemes in the Regeneration category included Watford Colosseum, Caro Court in Norwich, and The Old Art College, Great Yarmouth.