We announced the Public Open Space At Cronton Colliery – Ideas Masterplan Competition back in January. The Land Trust’s international design competition attracted 50 entries from all over the world, including innovative projects designed by teams in South Korea, Japan and Italy. The finalists have been announced with HASSELL, Hawkins/Brown, Michael Lee Architects and Edward Architecture & Matthew Riley making the final cut.

The challenge to design a pioneering new visitor destination on a former colliery has inspired creative teams across the world to push the boundaries of landscape and architecture. The four finalist schemes have been invited to the final stage for the chance to see their vision become a reality.

Matthew Bradbury, Director of Operations at the Land Trust, commented:

‘We were blown away by the creativity and vision of the proposals. Each one offered a unique take on the brief, demonstrating empathy and understanding of the site based on its past and future contexts, in tune with the vision and values of the Land Trust. It has been encouraging to see so many of the proposals seriously considering the long-term sustainability of the new visitor destination at every level – from strategic development and modular schemes right down to renewable energy sources and pioneering closed loop systems.’

The eclectic mix of proposals includes dynamic combinations of art installations, nature reserves and education facilities, eco-glamping, multi-activity centres, biomass facilities, viewing towers, ecological restoration programmes, wind turbines, improved community infrastructure, abundant opportunities for community involvement and the creation of new jobs to boost the local economy.

The finalists have been invited to go through to the second stage of the competition with the winners being revealed on Thursday 19 April.