A six month search to find Scotland’s leading property and construction projects is now on following the launch of the RICS Scotland Awards 2015.

Scotland’s leading property professionals gathered at RICS Scotland headquarters at Princes Street, Edinburgh, for advice and guidelines on what the judges are looking for in each of the eight categories. The annual awards celebrate the most inspirational regional initiatives and developments in land, property, construction and the environment.

Colin Smith from Turley Associates, and member of the RICS Scotland Award’s judging panel, provided an update to delegates on the judging process. Fiona Kell, senior manager Inward Investment, also spoke on behalf of the Clyde Gateway Project, which received the UK national Regeneration Category award.

Clyde Gateway was established in 2007 as an urban regeneration company covering an area that is more than 840 hectares in size within the East End of Glasgow and South Lanarkshire. They are a partnership created by Glasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Enterprise with direct funding from the Scottish Government.

Director of RICS Scotland, Sarah Speirs, said: “The standard of entries to the RICS Scotland Awards continues to grow and, as demonstrated by Clyde Gateway, Scottish projects are gaining recognition on a UK-wide level.

“The awards attract a diverse range of entries every year and we encourage projects of all sizes, types and budgets to enter as entries are judged on specific criteria, including design, delivery, value for money and sustainability.”

The eight categories to enter are: Regeneration, Community Benefit, Building Conservation - sponsored by WISE Property Care, Design & Innovation, Commercial, Residential – sponsored by NHBC Scotland, Infrastructure – sponsored by Sika, and Tourism & Leisure. The Project of the Year is the entry judged to have scored the highest across all categories and the winners in the first four categories go on to compete in the national RICS Awards.

Entry forms are now available for the RICS Scotland Awards 2015 and the deadline for entries is 16 January 2014. For further information please contact Judi Reid, Member Services Co-ordinator (0131) 240 0896 or email judithreid@rics.org.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Thursday 23 April 2015 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh.