Aberdeenshire Council's Design Awards 2012 was launched last week.

Members of the Council's Infrastructure Services Committee formally opened the awards at their meeting in Aberdeen and heard details of the previous awards scheme from head of planning and building standards Robert Gray.

Director of Infrastructure Services Stephen Archer said opened the discussions with the statement "good design is important."

The biennial awards have been running for 14 years and are organised by Aberdeenshire Council to promote good design over seven categories including Business, Conservation, Craftsmanship, Housing, Public Art, Rural Landscape Development and Sustainability.

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Also considered eligible for nomination are the likes of New build, regeneration, conservation, restoration, conversion and extensions and anyone can submit an entry as long as the building or project is located within Aberdeenshire.

Past winners have included The Salmon Bothy in Portsoy and Craigievar Castle in Alford – both highly commended in the conservation category last year.

All eligible works must also have been completed within the last two years with the exception of Rural landscape Development and Public Art which are within five years.

Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee Councillor Peter Argyle said: "This awards scheme links to key council policies around heritage and sustainability whilst recognising the talents of house developers, architects and trades in Aberdeenshire.

"Previous winners have found the awards scheme to be beneficial and I encourage people to get their nominations in as soon as possible."

(JG/BMcC)