Medway Campus Honoured for Heritage Role
Universities at Medway’s multi-million pound campus has been rewarded for the part it has played in the region’s economic and cultural life.
The campus at Chatham Maritime – which is shared between Greenwich, Kent and Canterbury Christ Church universities, as well as Mid-Kent College – received a ‘highly commended’ rating by judges at the inaugural Regeneration and Renewal awards.
The Medway campus was entered in the category for Heritage-led Project of the Year. Judges agreed that Universities at Medway demonstrated clear social and economic benefits to the community, and had undertaken the conservation of historic buildings, such as the Drill Hall Library and Pilkington Building, which have both received complete renovations in recent years.
Universities at Medway’s entry bid to the Regeneration and Renewal awards was made by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and real estate and project management consultancy Atisreal.
The awards aim to recognise and reward regeneration schemes across the United Kingdom, with a particular emphasis on those which best enhance the environment and community.
Professor Keith Mander, speaking for Universities at Medway, said the latest accolade for the campus was welcome recognition for the role the university partnership played in the region. ‘The campus is a flagship development for the Thames Gateway. Universities at Medway is clearly having a major impact on the local economy, and we expect its influence to grow sharply in the coming years,’ he said.
‘This is also one of the United Kingdom’s most exciting developments in higher education, where we are able to offer truly outstanding facilities and high levels of personal support to our fast-growing student population.’
Jonathan Sadler, SEEDA Project Director for Chatham Maritime and Rochester Riverside, said: ‘For us to get this recognition from a leading regeneration publication demonstrates how far we have come with these strategically important Thames Gateway projects. We are truly fulfilling the Sustainable Communities plan by providing homes, jobs, education and community facilities at Chatham Maritime.
‘This is part of the wider renaissance of the whole of Medway and we are delighted to be part of moving that forward.’
Thames Gateway Chief Executive Judith Armitt has also praised the campus as being at the forefront of the region’s redevelopment.
Earlier this year Universities at Medway won a commendation at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards.
In 2006, both the Drill Hall Library and the University of Kent’s Medway Building were shortlisted for a prestigious RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Award. Both buildings also scooped top prizes at the inaugural Medway Design Awards.
Universities at Medway is supported by SEEDA, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), Medway Council and Communities and Local Government: Thames Gateway Funding.
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