THREE major building projects in Blackburn have been shortlisted for regional industry awards.

The restoration of the Town Hall and the Cathedral Quarter scheme have both been nominated in this year’s North West Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors awards.

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The refurbishment of the Town Hall has been shortlisted for the building conservation award.

It is estimated to have cost more than £460,000 and has involved extensively repairing the building’s existing sandstone frontage and all of its sash windows.

The £80million Cathedral Quarter development has also been nominated for the regeneration accolade.

The project includes new residential accommodation for cathedral staff, a Premier Inn hotel, a Northcote cafe and a new bus and rail interchange.

Within the site One Cathedral Square, a £30million office building, is also up for the commercial property award.

The 32,000 sq ft building is almost fully let.

Cllr Hussain Akhtar, Blackburn with Darwen Council Mayor, said: “I am very pleased with these nominations.

“Blackburn is constantly attracting people from outside the town and I am so pleased people are wanting to invest in it all the time. This will give us a better future.

“These are projects which people have worked incredibly hard on and they are very deserving of awards.”

All three projects will be considered for the Project of the Year title which will be presented to the scheme which demonstrates overall ‘outstanding’ best practice.

Last year the accolade went to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

All category winners will go on to compete against other regional champions at the national RICS awards grand final in October.

Chairman of the awards judging panel, Will Rees, said: “These awards showcase our region’s top built environment projects, along with the exceptional talent and skills of the teams and surveyors behind them.

“Every year I wonder how we’re going to top last year’s shortlist, but I’m never disappointed.

“Many of this year’s nominees are truly unique and pioneering and have transformed local communities.”

Edge Hill University’s new student housing development Palestine Court has been shortlisted for the residential award.

The awards will take place on May 19, at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool.