THE hunt for Fenland’s best builders, designers and architects has begun after the fourth Building Design Awards was launched today (Thursday).

Fenland district councillors, senior directors, planning officials and staff from the Cambs Times/Wisbech Standard gathered at March Town Hall to declare the presitigious awards open.

The awards, which are sponsored by Fenland District Council as well as The Cambs Times/Wisbech Standard, aim to reward designers, builders, architects and developers for their efforts in providing quality buildings in Fenland.

Declaring the awards open, Councillor Kit Owen, portfolio holder for shaping Fenland, said other areas had become “envious” of the competition, with Peterborough looking at starting a similar contest.

He said: “Anyone can nominate a building, they do not have to be involved in the project in any way. This will, we hope, enable and encourage as many submissions as possible.

“I suspect the forthcoming awards ceremony will be as enlightening and innovative in design as well as being as successful as those in the past. Good luck to all who become involved.”

There are fifteen categories of award covering all types of development. Winners will be announced at a ceremony likely to take place in May or June at the Boathouse in Wisbech.

Previous winners have been Woodhouse Farm at Friday Bridge, The Bungalow at Bedford Bank, Manea, and last year’s winner W4 restaurant in Wisbech.

Nick Seaton, Fenland’s Building Control Manager, thanked everyone involved with maintaining the quality of Fenland’s buildings.

John Elworthy, editor of the Cambs Times/Wisbech Standard, said that the awards continued to capture the imagination of the people of Fenland.

He said: “If it ain’t broke you don’t go and mend it - and I don’t think by any means that these awards are broken.”