About the 2022 Awards and Entry Criteria
Aims
The Brownfield Awards recognise the outstanding achievements made by individuals and the collective, through the use of innovative techniques, awareness of sustainability, engagement of stakeholders and demonstration of best practice.
Conditions of entry
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Entries must have commenced after 1st Jan 2021 = c. 18 months from submission/marking date. Exception is category 7. Best Project Closure/Verification, which must be completed and agreed with regulators since the above date.
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Any person or organisation, including those directly involved with the nominated scheme or project, may submit an entry.
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To register your organisation must be based in the UK, with the exception of entries for Best International project.
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Each project may be entered into no more than three categories (if entering more than one category the entry should be tailored to match the relevant category’s criteria).
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Each submission to a single category cost £80 + VAT. If you do not pay this fee then your submission will not be considered. The Best Public Sector/Not for Profit Brownfield Project and Best Early Career Brownfield Professional categories are exempt, and can both be entered free of charge.
Criteria
General Criteria for Categories 1-12
Judges will assess all entries against the following criteria, so they should clearly outline in their submission how each criterion has been considered and demonstrated. The Award will go to the entry that in the view of the judges best demonstrates:
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Obvious fit to category with a submission with a high standard of presentation, clearly written with excellent grammar, with good use of supporting annotated figures/tables/photographs.
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Notable innovation or exemplary best practice.
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A robust, cost effective and defensible solution.
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Compliance with legislation, codes and guidance and adherence to diversity practice.
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Effective public/stakeholder engagement.
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Real environmental and social benefits, clearly linked to Sustainable Development Goals and demonstrating Social Value.
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All entries comply with the time window specified. Some categories may also have specific requirements, which must also be followed.
Category 13 has specific requirements to follow.
1. Best Project Preparatory Work
Planning and conduct of site investigations including use of the National Quality Mark Scheme, conceptual modelling, or development of use of the (NQMS scheme encouraged where pertinent or applicable) remediation strategy which both demonstrates best practice and provides a sound basis for remediation, verification and subsequent use or development of a brownfield site.
2. Best Research, Innovation or Advancement of Science in the Brownfield Sector
Could include published academic or industry-led research project or even a guidance document. Could also include the development of new techniques or technologies with applications in the Brownfield sector. Demonstration of the broad potential impact and value should be shown.
3. Best Application of Innovative Digital Tools or Emerging Technology on a Brownfield Project
Could include the use of software, particularly effective data management or analysis, automation, or practical application of technology in the field i.e., robots, satellites, drones, and a demonstration of how this application has broad potential impact and value.
4. Best Public Engagement and Participation of a Brownfield Activity
Effective raising of the profile of brownfield development with all stakeholders and encouragement of community participation in the shaping of brownfield projects.
5. Best Application of Remediation Technologies
Effective use of appropriate ex-situ or in-situ remediation technologies, whether alone or in combination, on a brownfield site.
6. Best Remediation of a Smaller Site
Effective approach and exemplary use of appropriate techniques in the remediation of a smaller brownfield site that is less than 0.5 hectares in size. As a guide, this award is aimed at smaller companies to allow them to shine, although it doesn’t exclude entrants from larger companies. All entries should be for of a stand-alone remediation project rather than a part of the remediation in one area.
7. Best Sustainable Re-Use of Materials
Sustainable and beneficial re-use of material in a brownfield development or, brownfield-led infrastructure project and/or remediation. Quantification is expected, as is demonstration of compliance with legislation, guidance, and codes of practice, and agreed by the appropriate regulator.
8. Best Sustainable Brownfield/Urban Regeneration/Infrastructure Scheme
Excellence in any aspect of a brownfield development, brownfield-led infrastructure project, and/or remediation, where a multidisciplinary team has led the delivery of sustainable regeneration of a brownfield site or advancement and excellent implementation of a brownfield-led scheme. All entries should clearly show real positive economic, environmental, and social impacts, clearly linked to Sustainable Development Goals and demonstrating Social Value.
9. Best Public Sector/Not for Profit Brownfield Project
Excellence in any aspect of brownfield development, brownfield-led infrastructure project, and/or remediation, where the project is led by a public sector or not for profit organisation. The Award could be entered by consultants and contractors on behalf of their client, but, if so, the winner would be the public sector/not for profit organisation.
10. Best Biodiversity Enhancement on a Brownfield Project (sponsored by Ramboll)
Demonstration of enhancement for local ecosystems in a brownfield development or brownfield-led infrastructure project, with long term planning to enhance biodiversity and amenity value.
11. Best International Project
Excellence in any aspect of brownfield development, brownfield-led infrastructure project, and/or remediation delivered outside of the UK. The Award is open to UK organisations who have leveraged experience gained in the UK to the export market. It also includes organisations from anywhere (including UK) with projects outside the UK.
12. Best Early Career Brownfield Professional
An extension of the previous award, Best Young Brownfield Professional, to extend the potential entrance base to those who have moved into the Brownfield sector, as well as young professionals who have always worked in the sector. Nominees must be:
A. Able to demonstrate up to 7-years relevant brownfield experience up to 30 June 2022. This may comprise accumulated ‘full time equivalent’ experience of 7 years whilst working part-time or around an extended period of absence. The judges’ welcome submissions from young professionals and those who have made a career move into the Brownfield sector.
B. However you meet the criteria of A), you must clearly show how you have shown innovation, astute business acumen, and either exceptional leadership, or made a significant contribution to a project, or demonstrated technical ability through research, or demonstrated exceptional commitment to brownfield related issues through academic or professional development in the last 7-years, in the Brownfield sector.
C. Entrants will be judged on all round ability, not only on academic and work- related achievements, but also their enthusiasm for work within the brownfield industry. Entries should, in video of 60-90 seconds (MP4) outline why they should be considered for the award, and a statement of not more than 500 words, outline the major and distinguished contributions made by the candidate to the profession; include the significance of those contributions and where possible the degree of influence the nominee had in the activity or activities given. Included in this could be any technical innovations or solutions the nominee has developed in the last 7-years, in the Brownfield sector.
To be included with the entry:
D. Evidence of the candidate’s career achievements (this could include significant contribution to a project)
E. References of work over the past 2 years or since the beginning of the candidate’s career (a concise statement of the contributions made to the profession by the nominee, including any voluntary work)
F. Details of any service of committees/boards, papers presented relating to the brownfield industries
G. Nominee’s CV: Nominations may be submitted either by the individual, the employer or jointly. If you are shortlisted, you should be prepared for a short telephone interview with one of the judges.
H. A 60-90 second video of the professional describing their key achievements and why they should be considered.
13. Judges’ Choice
An Award made up of the winners of the other categories, excluding Best Early Career Brownfield Professional and Best International Project. As a result, it is not open to applications directly. The Judges will consider the winning entry to have that ‘special factor’, which could, for example, include size, advancement, and/or excellent implementation.