THE Residential category of this years Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Yorkshire and Humber Awards is dominated by projects from York and North Yorkshire.

Three of the city’s newest housing schemes have been shortlisted for prestigious industry accolades - including the overall Project of the Year title.

The annual awards recognise exemplary built projects that are positively contributing to their local communities and this year 45 schemes of all sizes and budgets, from all over Yorkshire and the Humber, are in with a chance of gaining acclaimed industry recognition, along with the teams behind them.

Three of York’s newest housing projects will go head-to-head for the Residential category award.

The first is Nelson’s Yard - the sensitive conversion of the former Lord Nelson Inn into two unique houses, with a new-build terrace of six contemporary townhouses in the former yard.

Prior to its conversion, which was delivered by York-based Northminster, COG Architects, LHL Group and Woodhouse Barry Construction, the former Walmgate-based office building had become severely dilapidated after closing in 1982. However, the restoration has not only brought the building back to life, but restored and maintained much of its original features.

Meanwhile, the conversion of a 1950’s home in one of York’s conservation areas in to a contemporary build with plenty of large glazed windows to allow natural daylight throughout, will also compete for the Residential award. Known as Trentholme Villa in Tentholme Drive, the home, delivered by Bramhall Blenkharn Architects and Woodhouse Barry Construction is highly energy efficient,

Last of the York finalists to be shorlisted for the Residential award is Vita Student Village York, the first purpose-built private campus in the UK, in Lawrence Street, comprising 650 bed spaces, contained within new and refurbished buildings. The project, delivered by Abacus Cost Management, Fuse Studios, Select Property Group and Wates Construction, involved the conversion a former convent and its grounds. The campus opened towards the end of last year with a 100 per cent occupancy rate.

Another finalist is Potter Hill, a country house, built in a Georgian style, sitting within the Howardian Hills at Hovingham. Delivered by Bramhall Blenkharn Architects, Simpsons York Ltd and 70five Quantity Surveying, Potter Hill replaced an existing house in a poor state of repair. The new 5-bedroom home also has service buildings which house two additional guest bedrooms, a laundry, boot room and pantry.

The RICS Awards, Yorkshire & Humber have eight categories: Building Conservation, Commercial property, Community Benefit, Design through Innovation, Infrastructure, Regeneration, Residential and Tourism & Leisure.

Three other North Yorkshire projects in the running for RICS awards include the repair and restoration of Grade II-listed properties; Oswaldkirk Hall, in Oswaldkirk, Eshton Hall in Skipton, whilst the Old Vicarage at Brafferton was also remodelled and extended to create a more fit-for-purpose and up-to-date property. All three projects will compete for the Building Conservation award.

Elsewhere in the Tourism & Leisure category Rudding Park’s Spa, near Harrogate has been shortlisted, alongside the Millennium West development at Wetherby Racecourse, created by York developer Lindum Group.

Those shortlisted for category awards will automatically be considered for the highly esteemed ‘Yorkshire & Humber Project of the Year’ title, presented to the scheme which demonstrates overall outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area. Last year, the title went to The Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s new state-of-the-art Event Centre - located on the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.

All category winners will go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final in November 2018, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category.

The 2018 RICS Awards, Yorkshire & Humber take place on May 11.