THE finalists have been announced for the inaugural Dorset Property and Architecture Awards.

The winners of the awards, sponsored by Planning Solutions and backed by the Daily Echo, will be announced at a glittering ceremony hosted by TV’s Phil Spencer at the BIC.

Covering a wide spectrum of property-related projects the categories were highly contested for the shortlist positions.

In some categories, a mystery shopper approach was used to ensure fairness.

The judges tested each entry in a host of areas.

Jim Hodkinson, one of the judges and former chief executive of New Look and B&Q, said: “The entries were very strong, which is impressive for the first year of such an event, illustrating the demand and hunger within the industry in Dorset.

An overall winner will be crowned on February 9.

Tickets are available for the event priced at £50 per head, including a drinks reception and a three-course meal with wine.

Visit propertyawards.org or call Planning Solutions on 01202 707558/449820 for full details.

The finalists are:

Best Architectural Practice:

Anders Roberts & Associates, Broadway Malyan, David James Architects, Harriplan, HGP Architects, Ingenium Archial Ltd, Morgan Carey, Philip Proctor & Associates, Quantum Group, Terence O’Rourke, The Architects Design Group, Trinity Architects, Western Design and Williams Lester

Best Conversion or Extension

Anders Roberts & Associates – The Exchange Building, Hinton Road, Bournemouth ASN Capital – Badorgan Road, Bournemouth Graemar Group/Tesco – Westbourne Methodist Church, Bournemouth G Warren/Harriplan – Breeze, 1 Charminster Road, Bournemouth Morgan Carey – The Goods Shed, Wareham Western Design – Pump House, Spetisbury Williams Lester – 1 Bury Road, Poole

Best New Commercial or Mixed Use Development

Barratt/HGP Architects – Honeycombe Chine, Bournemouth Christchurch Harbour Hotels Ltd/Broadway Malyan – Christchurch Harbour Hotels DWP – St Clements Road, Bournemouth Graemar Group/Tesco – Westbourne Methodist Church Williams Lester/Brightwater – Studland Dene, Bournemouth

Best New Community Project

Dorset County Council/Surestart – Children’s Centre, Swanage Ingenium Archial Ltd/Borough of Poole – Hamworthy Community Library Philip Proctor & Associates – The Exchange, Sturminster Newton Terence O’Rourke/Dorset County Council – Milldown Primary School, Blandford

Best New Residential Development

Anders Roberts & Associates – 21 Buccleugh Road, Poole David James Architects/Banner Homes – Crichel Mount Road, Poole Philip Proctor – Grosvenor House, Shaftesbury Quantum Group – Aspire, Alton Road, Poole Quantum Group – Bailie Park, Poole Terence O’Rourke – 29a Western Avenue, Poole

Best Eco or Environmental Project

David James Architects/Towncourt Homes – Canford Crescent, Poole Dorset County Council/Surestart – Children’s Centre, Swanage Western Design/Portus Homes – Partridge Walk, Poole Zeroc Holdings – St John’s Way, Poundbury

Best Estate or Letting Agent

Dave Wells Properties (Letting Agent) - Bournemouth Edwards Estate Agents – Ferndown Move on Rentals – Parkstone, Poole Realty Property Solutions - Parkstone Richard Godsell Estate Agents – Southbourne, Bournemouth Slades Estate Agents – Bransgore Slades Estate Agents & Letting – Christchurch Slades Estate Agents – Highcliffe Slades Estate Agents & Letting – Southbourne YouHome Estate & Letting Agents - Bournemouth

Best Rural Development

Morgan Carey – Burngate Stone Carving Centre Waitrose/John Lewis /Morgan Carey – The Cricket Pavilion, Wimborne Williams Lester/Wilton Homes – Chantry Farm, Gillingham