A competition which celebrates the best design and construction achievements in Kent has revealed its finalists.

No fewer than 18 projects from across the county have been shortlisted for the 2014 Kent Design and Development Awards, which take place every two years.

The awards showcase the excellent projects from around the county, and categories to be decided on range from environmental performance to industrial and retail work.

Alex Hicken, of DHA Planning which sponsors the project of the year award, said: "The shortlist demonstrates that Kent is home to a wide range of innovative projects.

"Once again this shows how good quality design is being adopted by the county’s developers and having a positive impact on communities.”

Cabinet Member for Economic Development at KCC Mark Dance added: “Economic improvements, combined with a positive outlook for the county’s property industry, mean there is a lot to celebrate in Kent and we look forward to honouring the winners in November.”

Judges have already started visiting the shortlisted sites and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday, November 6.

Four projects have been shortlisted twice, including:

• Three Hills Sports Park, in Folkestone, for Public Buildings (community) and Environmental Performance

• The Skinners’ Kent Academy, in Tunbridge Wells, for Public Buildings (education) and Environmental Performance

• Goat Lees Primary School, in Ashford, for Public Buildings (education) and Environmental Performance

• Cyclopark, in Gravesend, for Civils and Infrastructure and Public Buildings (community)

The remaining 14 finalists are:

• Amblesidehousing development,in Faversham, for Major Residential

• Armstrong Road, in Maidstone, forMajor Residential

• Centre for Environmental Technologies, in Broadstairs, forthe Environmental Performance

• Farningham House Cottage for Minor Residential

• Forge Fields, in Bethersden, forMinor Residential

• Hadlow Tower forPublic Buildings (community)

• Hermitage Court Units G&H, in Maidstone, forCommercial, Industrial and Retail

• Horsted Park, in Chatham, for Major Residential

• Kent Institute of Medicine and Surgery, in Maidstone, forCommercial, Industrial and Retail

• Maidstone High Street forCivils and Infrastructure

• Medway Crematorium forCommercial, Industrial and Retail

• Pobble House, on the Romney Marsh, for MinorResidential

• Sandwich Town Tidal Defences forCivils and Infrastructure

• St Michael’s School, in Otford, forPublic Buildings (Education)

Visit www.kentdesigndevelopmentawards.co.uk for details.