Top development projects in Suffolk and Essex are set to go head-to-head at an annual regional awards ceremony, which will be held in Bury St Edmunds.

East Anglian Daily Times: Wood Farm, Carbrooke, near Thetford. Picture: SUPPLIED BY RICSWood Farm, Carbrooke, near Thetford. Picture: SUPPLIED BY RICS (Image: Archant)

The shortlist for the East of England RICS Awards has been announced with 20 projects across 7 categories competing for the coveted Project of the Year title.

Monkey Lodge in Ipswich, which was transformed from a dilapidated Grade II-listed lodge and gateway into an accessible family home, has been nominated in two categories – residential and building conservation.

East Anglian Daily Times: Monkey Lodge, in Ipswich. Picture: SUPPLIED BY RICSMonkey Lodge, in Ipswich. Picture: SUPPLIED BY RICS (Image: Archant)

New Bury St Edmunds school the Sybil Andrews Academy, which opened in November 2016 and can accommodate up to 1,400 students, has also been recognised twice, in the design through innovation and community benefit categories.

The Christies Care office building, in Saxmundham, has been shortlisted in the commercial category and the Naze Education and Visitor Centre, in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, is named in the tourism and leisure section.

East Anglian Daily Times: New House, Richmond Road, in Thetford. Picture: SUPPLIED BY RICSNew House, Richmond Road, in Thetford. Picture: SUPPLIED BY RICS (Image: Archant)

The renovation project at Wood Farm, in Carbrooke, near Thetford, was also nominated in the building conservation category, while the New House, Richmond Road project in Thetford is up for an award in the residential section.

Those shortlisted will automatically be considered for the prestigious ‘East of England Project of the Year’ title, presented to the scheme which demonstrates overall outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.

East Anglian Daily Times: Naze Education and Visitor Centre in Essex. Picture: SUPPLIED BY RICSNaze Education and Visitor Centre in Essex. Picture: SUPPLIED BY RICS (Image: Archant)

Last year, the title went to the Arthur Rank Hospice, a new 24-bed facility for the Cambridge-based end of life care charity.

Jonathan Nelson, chairman of the RICS East of England judging panel, said: “The east of England’s property professionals continue to deliver outstanding, and in many cases, world-class built projects that are having a profoundly positive impact on our cities and towns.

“I am delighted to see so many of the region’s built initiatives on this year’s shortlist for the 2018 RICS Awards.

“The talent and skills of the teams and surveyors behind these schemes is exceptional, and I wish them all the best of luck in gaining the recognition they deserve for ensuring their local communities remain fantastic places to live, work, and visit.”

The 2018 RICS Awards, East of England, take place on May 10 at The Apex, Bury St Edmunds.

Tickets can be booked online at www.rics.org/awards or by phone on 0207 695 1600.