A TOWN centre leisure complex has scooped a top accolade in the region’s property awards.

The project to transform the site of the former bus depot into a modern leisure destination in the heart of Darlington was praised by Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) judges at an awards ceremony last night.

Feethams Leisure Complex, which is centred around a multi-screen cinema, was recognised for creating a valuable community asset that is boosting the local economy.

The multi-million pound scheme, which was delivered by Darlington-based Niven Architects. was also commended for being a catalyst for further regeneration in the town including the adjacent Department for Education Office.

Adam Serfontein, the chairman of the judging panel for the RICS Awards North East and managing director at The Hanro Group, said: “These exemplary built schemes are already having a positive impact on their local community and actively helping to ensure the North East is one of the best region’s to live, work and visit. The teams behind them should be incredibly proud as they have shown just what is achievable with vision and an innovative approach to collaboration.”

The winners of all eight individual categories were: Building Conservation – Walwick Hall Hotel, Hexham; Commercial – Feethams Leisure, Darlington; Community Benefit – The Word, South Shields; Design through Innovation – The Word, South Shields; Infrastructure – Dinwoodie Assessment & Simulation Hub, Northumberland; Regeneration – Freeman’s Reach, Durham; Residential – Staiths South Bank, Gateshead; Tourism & Leisure – The Word, South Shields.

A number of highly commended certificates were also awarded by the judges on the night to projects which impressed but were just pipped to the post by the winners. St Teresa Hospice’s new £1.2m in-patient Palliative Care Unit in Darlington was highly commended in the Community Benefit category.

All winners will go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final on November 2 in London, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner.