A PROPERTY development partnership behind plans to revitalise York’s West Offices as the new council headquarters will be the main sponsor of the York Design Awards.

York property business S Harrison Developments Ltd and Buccleuch Property, who together make up York Investors LLP, are backing the awards, which encourage excellence in design and conservation in the city.

The awards are now in their fourth year of seeking out York’s best- designed new buildings, spaces and conservation projects, which will “delight present and future generations”.

They are open to all developments within the City of York Council boundary, normally completed between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2009.

With entries for the 2010 awards now in, former Lord Mayor of York Janet Hopton, who chairs the steering committee, said: “Even in these hard economic times, we have received an excellent level of entries across a number of categories and, once again, some outstanding designs from which to choose. “We are pleased Harrison and Buccleuch Property have agreed to back the scheme this year and support the work that organisations like York Civic Trust, York Guild of Building and York Property Forum, York Archaeological Trust as well as the council itself, are doing to improve the city through encouraging quality architecture.”

Martyn Harrison, chairman of S Harrison Developments Ltd, said on behalf of York Investors LLP: “It is vital we preserve the fine architecture of the city and add to it with new buildings that respect York’s rich architectural heritage.”

Categories include: New Build – either public/community, residential or commercial; Conservation, including re-use; and Open Space. Some schemes may fall into more than one category.

The awards evening will be held at De Grey Court at York St John University – the building which won the Lord Mayor’s award last year – on Wednesday, June 30.