Cronton Colliery

Date:

27 January 2012

Press release contact:

Julia Davies
T: +44 (0)113 203 1490
E: julia.davies@riba.org

Cronton Colliery Creative Challenge: Two Weeks Left To Enter Design Competition

There are just over two weeks to go until 15 February 2012, the closing date for the Land Trust's international design competition. The national land charity is hoping to find the most inspirational design and funding team to create a new visitor destination and public open space at the former Cronton Colliery in Knowsley.

There has been considerable interest in the competition, as the Land Trust's Chief Executive Euan Hall revealed:

'We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm for the competition - over 50 international practices have registered to enter the competition, and we have held guided tours of the site for over 70 people. With so many creative individuals interested at this stage, we are expecting to see an impressive range of design and funding ideas to create an inspirational new visitor destination for the North West.'

The competition is open to landscape architects and architect-led, multi-disciplinary design teams from either the built or open environment and is being run by the Land Trust in association with RIBA Competitions. The competition will be in two stages, judged anonymously in the first stage. A shortlist will then be invited to enhance and present their designs and potential funding propositions at interview as part of the second stage.

It is the intention of the Land Trust to identify an individual or team that is able to demonstrate an empathy and understanding of the site based on its past and future contexts, as set out in this brief, and in tune with the vision and values of the Land Trust.

Explaining the Trust's decision, Euan Hall commented:

'The former Cronton Colliery is a fabulous space that has the very real potential to become a magnificent 21st century visitor destination for the North West.

By working with RIBA on this we are hoping to change the way design teams create schemes of importance in the future. We believe that open spaces have the potential to be the catalyst for change and can impact on far more than just the 'environment'.

The issue of long-term funding for new schemes is often overlooked, but we are hoping that, through this process, we can go some way to changing that mind-set whilst providing a sensationally designed scheme for the local community and visitors to the site.'

The closing date for Stage 1 submissions is 15 February 2012 and the winners will be announced in the last week of March 2012. More details| can be found online and to officially register and enter the competition please visit: www.architecture.com/competitions|.

Notes to editors

The Land Trust is a not-for-profit organisation that provides a cost-effective management solution for open space and green infrastructure. This land can deliver significant community benefits, improving health, social cohesion, providing an educational resource and uplifting the local economy.

The Trust's portfolio includes a diverse range of sites that encompass the whole spectrum of public spaces, from large country parks to small areas of landscaping, including ecologically sensitive nature reserves, play areas, community woodlands and urban parks.

The aim of the Trust is to provide long-term sustainable management of open spaces across the country. We already own some 1,000 hectares of land, with a strong balance sheet to provide financial stability and secured foundation capital for our operations. Our open spaces are a crucial part of the social landscape, delivering a range of significant benefits for residents and businesses. Safe and accessible open space allows communities to come together and individuals to develop and relax through physical activity and recreation. Well designed and maintained open spaces are outdoor classrooms, gyms and theatres. They change lifestyles and improve health and wellbeing, so we take them seriously. For further information visit www.thelandtrust.org.uk|.

Please ensure that RIBA Competitions is credited when mentioning the above competition. RIBA Competitions delivers variety, inspiration and value through expertly run competitive selection processes. For further details visit www.architecture.com/competitions|.