Visitor attraction is ranked among the nation’s best new buildings

Seaton Jurassic has been shortlisted for six top awards from bodies which look to honour the nation’s best new buildings.

Four of the nominations come from The Planning Awards 2017, a prestigious scheme which looks to honour “excellence in planning and placemaking”.

The four categories in which Seaton Jurassic has been shortlisted include:

Award for Regeneration; Award for Best Use of Publicly Owned Land; Award for best use of arts, culture or sport in placemaking; Award for partnership working. The Planning Awards recognise “outstanding professional planning work, rewarding excellence in planning-related activities such as placemaking, urban design, economic development, housing, regeneration, legal advice and environmental consulting.”

Seaton Jurassic has also been shortlisted for a fifth award in a separate building design competition. The RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) Awards are billed as “the premier property and construction Awards in the country” and Seaton Jurassic has landed a shortlisting in the ‘Regeneration’ category within the South West region.

The visitor attraction’s sixth award nomination comes in the annual Michelmores’ Property Awards.

These are billed as “the South West’s premier property competition, showcasing and celebrating the very best of the region’s projects, buildings and businesses.”

Seaton Jurassic has been nominated as a candidate for Leisure and Hospitality Project of the Year.

Seaton Jurassic was opened in spring 2016 by HRH the Princess Royal and is owned by East Devon District Council and operated by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust. It has welcomed more than 50,000 people through its doors during its first year of operation.

The results of all six nominations should be known this summer.

Councillor Paul Diviani, the Leader of East Devon District Council, said: “This is fantastic news and a wonderful accolade for everyone who has been involved in Seaton Jurassic. We feel passionately about this unique and exciting visitor attraction, which has delivered what it promised, helping put Seaton firmly on the tourist attraction map and boosting the regeneration of the town by attracting thousands of visitors.”

Devon Wildlife Trust’s spokesperson Steve Hussey said: “We’re delighted by the boost of being shortlisted by so many prestigious awards. We think that Seaton Jurassic adds to what Seaton can offer local people and visitors. If people are wondering what all the fuss is about then they should come and visit us!”

Seaton Jurassic celebrates the area’s unique local geological, coastal and marine heritage. It was designed by Plymouth-based architects Form Design Group.

Seaton Jurassic and its café are open every day to the public throughout the Easter holidays from Saturday April 1 to Sunday April 16. Visitors over the holiday period can take part in a special Dinosaur Easter Egg Hunt, following clues to complete a trail and claim a prize! People can plan their visit by going to www.seatonjurassic.org