The Winners
Northern Ireland
rics.org/niawards
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Contents Introduction
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Winners’ overview
5
Building Conservation
6–7
Commercial
8-9
Community Benefit
10-11
Design through Innovation
12-13
Infrastructure
14-15
Regeneration
16-17
Residential
18-19
Tourism & Leisure
20-21
Project of the Year
24-25
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RICS introduction The annual RICS Awards, Northern Ireland recognise exemplary built projects in the land, real estate, construction and infrastructure sectors that are positively contributing to their local communities. They also celebrate the talented RICS professionals and inspiring teams behind them. A diverse range of innovative projects, of all sizes and budgets, made the shortlist this year and over the next few pages you will find out more about the category winners – and the esteemed ‘Project of the Year’ – not to mention the positive impact they are having on their local areas. You’ll also discover the firms – and the varied range of disciplines – that collaborated to deliver each of these winning projects. It is the vision and talent of these admirable partnerships that have brought these exceptional projects to life, so the winning teams should be very proud of their achievements and contribution to the region.
I’d like to thank our panel of RICS Judges for their time and commitment. The judging process is tough and challenging, particularly for the overall Project of the Year title as this is awarded to the category winner that demonstrates overall outstanding best practice and the highest commitment to adding real value to its local area. This year the prestigious title went to The Mourne Wall Restoration project. Congratulations go to the team behind it for delivering such a remarkable, worldclass project that is having a resounding positive impact on its community. All category winners including the Project of the Year will go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards, Grand Final in London, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category and vie for the ‘UK Project of the Year’ accolade. I wish them they very best of luck in representing Northern Ireland and showcasing just what RICS professionals, together with other built environment professionals, can achieve. My sincere thanks to our sponsors for this year’s RICS Awards, Northern Ireland who helped make the awards ceremony such a fantastic celebratory occasion.
Matthew Howell RICS Managing Director, UK & Ireland
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Sponsor the RICS Awards 2020, Northern Ireland Sponsoring the RICS Awards provides firms with the ideal opportunity to raise the profile of their organisation amongst decision makers in the land, real estate, construction and infrastructure sectors. Various sponsorship packages are available. For further information please contact the Regional Manager – Susan Mason t +44 (0)28 9592 1101 or e smason@rics.org
Winners’ overview Once again, the RICS Awards 2019, Northern Ireland ceremony was an outstanding and inspiring evening. The awards continue to attract pioneering entries from all over the region and this year was no exception.
Sponsors and supporters of the RICS Awards 2019, Northern Ireland Headline sponsor
Across the following pages you will see many examples of the exceptional talent and vision which makes Northern Ireland a fantastic place to live, work and, of course, visit. The eight category winners – Building Conservation, Commercial, Community Benefit, Design through Innovation, Infrastructure, Regeneration, Residential and Tourism & Leisure – will now progress to the RICS Awards 2019 Grand Final in October to be held at The Lancaster Hotel, London. The full list of winning projects is:
Building Conservation
Infrastructure
Winner The Mourne Wall Restoration, County Down
Winner Blossom Children & Young People’s Centre, Portadown
Commercial
Highly Commended Milewater Road Service Centre, Belfast
Winner River House, Belfast
Regeneration
Community Benefit
Winner Let’s Go Hydro, Carryduff
Winner Raidió Fáilte / Líonra Uladh, Belfast
Residential
Highly Commended Omagh Integrated Primary & Nursery School
Winner Northland Road, Derry/Londonderry
Design through Innovation
Winner Grand Central Hotel, Belfast
Winner DAERA, Ballykelly
Tourism & Leisure
Inspiring winners The RICS Awards 2018 were full of spectacular projects – here are some Project of the Year winners:
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, Birmingham, West Midlands
Get Busy Living Centre, Melton Mowbray, East Midlands
Aerospace Bristol, Bristol, South West
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Building Conservation
This award honours excellent work in the conservation of a single bui renovation or conversion to a new or original use.
Winner The Mourne Wall Restoration, County Down Surveyor: RPS Group Architect: RPS Group Developer/Contractor: Geda Construction Owner/Client: Northern Ireland Water Nominated by: Geda Construction This 22-mile restoration project involved repairing 2400m of drystone granite wall crossing 15 mountain peaks. As a listed building the Mourne Wall is an exceptional landmark and plays an important role environmentally and navigationally to the 100,000 walkers each year that visit the area. We merged age old traditional methods with modern innovation to overcome challenges and deliver works in a sensitive manner. As a result of all parties’ efforts this challenging project was successfully completed on budget in half the programmed time.
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ilding or structure or a group of buildings or structures and covers
The judges said The Mourne Wall Restoration project is an exemplary display of traditional skills and workmanship working alongside modern surveying and delivery techniques. With extensive collaborative working with stakeholders and using local materials expertly crafted and worked by the descendants of the original wall builders, this project consisting of over 600 repairs along the entire 22-mile wall length has restored the wall back to its original condition as it would have been over 100 years ago and preserved its use for generations to come.
Shortlisted HMS Caroline, Alexandra Dock & Thompson Dock Pump House, Belfast Nominated by Consarc Conservation
Richhill Townscape Heritage Initiative, Co Armagh Nominated by Ballymullan Architect (BMA) Ltd
The Mourne Wall Restoration Project, County Down Nominated by Geda Construction
McArthur Hall, Methodist College, Belfast Nominated by Turner & Townsend
The Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, Magheralin Nominated by Des Cairns Architecture
The Station Master’s House, Maghera Nominated by McGurk Architects
Mew Island Lighthouse Optic, Belfast Nominated by Hugh J. O’Boyle Ltd
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Commercial
This award honours an outstanding commercial property developme Judges were looking for evidence of a commercially successful proje
Winner River House, Belfast Surveyor: Malcolm Hollis LLP Architect: Povall Worthington Developer/Contractor: Mac Group Owner/Client: Castleforge Partners Nominated by: Malcolm Hollis LLP After undergoing a £12.6m refurbishment, River House stands at the forefront of a new wave of commercial development on the edge of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. No longer tired and dated, River House’s 14 storeys have been completely transformed to the highest specifications and also achieved a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating. Offering co-working and private office space for forward-thinking, innovative companies, River House boasts an array of modern facilities including state-of-theart meeting rooms, an extensive landscaped rooftop terrace, a café and informal breakout zones.
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ent whether retail, office, leisure, industrial or mixed use. ect.
The judges said River House stands in the forefront of a new wave of commercial development close to Belfast Cathedral Quarter. This £12.6m project has completely transformed the tired and dated original building which was affected at various times during ‘The Troubles’ and was actually originally constructed in the late 1960’s on a former WWII bombsite. The 14-storey building has been completely transformed to the highest specification with a BREEAM Very Good rating. A double height reception has been formed at the entrance to provide a great first impression and feeling of grandeur. The office areas offer a variety of co-working and private office space for forwardthinking, innovative companies. River House boasts an array of modern facilities including state-of-the-art meeting rooms, an extensive landscaped rooftop terrace, a café and informal breakout zones.
Shortlisted Artola House, Belfast Nominated by McConnell Chartered Surveyors
Lidl, Magherafelt Nominated by Donaghmore Construction
River House, Belfast Nominated by Malcolm Hollis LLP
Charles Hurst Jaguar/Land Rover, Belfast Nominated by Bruce Shaw
Milewater Road Service Centre, Belfast Nominated by Gregory Architects
The Shed, Maghaberry Nominated by Alan Patterson Design LLP
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Community Benefit
This award recognises honours excellent excellent work achievement in the conservation in providing of aasingle facilitybui w renovation success through or conversion local community to a new or feedback. original Projects use. can be single o
Winner Raidió Fáilte / Líonra Uladh, Belfast Surveyor: Architect:
AD Surveyors McGurk Architects and ARdMackel Architects Developer/Contractor: Cleary Contracting Ltd Owner/Client: Raidió Fáilte 107.1fm Nominated by: McGurk Architects Complete in October 2018, this new build facility for Raidió Fáilte provides a unique community provision. ‘Community’ in this case, is defined not as the local neighbours, nor even West Belfast, but rather the building stretches out to the Gaelic speaking community which extends across the province of Ulster and beyond. The facility provides education, vocational training, volunteering opportunities and a platform for other community-based initiatives, directly improving the lives of local people in an area of multiple deprivation.
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which ildingdirectly or structure benefits or athe group local ofcommunity buildings orand structures can illustrate and covers its or groups of buildings, new or improvements to existing facilities.
The judges said The Judges were impressed by the Raidió Fáilte team’s clear commitment to community engagement and enrichment programmes, facilitated by their new building. Situated in an area of high social deprivation and on a site which had previously been a hub for antisocial behaviour, the award winning Raidió Fáilte team have worked tirelessly to build an enviable and innovative facility. It is a leading example of how design, client passion and strategic vision can deliver real and lasting community benefit.
Shortlisted Omagh Integrated Primary & Nursery School Nominated by TODD Architects
Spórtlann na hÉireann, Coláiste Feirste, Belfast Nominated by Woodvale Construction Company Ltd
Windsor-Olympia Sports Hub, Belfast Nominated by Hamilton Architects
Raidió Fáilte / Líonra Uladh, Belfast Nominated by McGurk Architects
Highly Commended Omagh Integrated Primary & Nursery School Surveyor: Johnston Houston Architect: TODD Architects Developer/Contractor: Woodvale Construction Company Ltd Owner/Client: Omagh IPS Board of Management and the Department of Education Nominated by: TODD Architects
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Design through Innovation
This award honours the use of outstanding innovation in designing a creativity and innovative design enhanced a project across a wide ran
Winner DAERA, Ballykelly Surveyor: Edmond Shipway Architect: Hamilton Architects Developer/Contractor: JH Turkington & Sons Owner/Client: Department of Finance Nominated by: Hamilton Architects An innovative new headquarters for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has been created on a former army barracks on the eastern shore of Lough Foyle. This 5,175m2 building is based around a four-storey heart with long radiating three-storey wings and floors above ground level extruding beyond the building’s footprint. Appropriately scaled on a 9-acre site, this striking building delivers a real civic presence for the North West along with community engagement and local economic benefit.
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a successful project. The judges looked for evidence that the use of nge of criteria.
The judges said Any visitor arriving at this flat windswept location in North Antrim will be impressed at the way it melts into the landscape. It is a joy to visit and to work in. On entering the reception area, the mature trees dominating the glass atrium make several bold and comforting statements. This building is part of the landscape and invites everyone in to participate. This new office is designed to achieve BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating. It is developed to integrate energy efficiency and sustainability seamlessly and achieves just that.
Shortlisted DAERA, Ballykelly Nominated by Hamilton Architects
Lisburn City Centre Public Realm Nominated by The Paul Hogarth Company
Stranmillis Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Belfast Nominated by Bruce Shaw
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Infrastructure
This award recognises the excellent achievement by a project or prog projects that deliver essential facilities, services or organisational str
Winner Blossom Children & Young People’s Centre, Portadown Surveyor: Currie & Brown Architect: TODD Architects Developer/Contractor: Felix O’Hare & Co Ltd Owner/Client: Southern Health and Social Care Trust Nominated by: TODD Architects The Blossom Children & Young People’s Centre new paediatric ward at Craigavon Area Hospital marks the first completed phase of a major masterplan development, offering a 19-bed inpatient ward, a six-bed ambulatory care ward, outpatient department, treatment rooms, interview room and staff support area. Bedrooms have been designed to incorporate fold down beds to enable parents to stay overnight with their children. The courtyard garden provides a sheltered outdoor space for parents to relax with their children while visiting.
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gramme of infrastructure works. Infrastructure works include any ructures.
The judges said The Blossom, a dedicated paediatric ward at Craigavon Area Hospital presented an excellent example of design quality. An extensive consultation process with end users delivered not only a functional building but one that provides a comforting environment to facilitate healing and recovery. The building itself, while unimposing, stands out due to its prominent position and striking blue cladding. Internally the space is uplifting. The layout is adaptable, with private rooms, break-out spaces, play areas and outdoor gardens. A very carefully designed building and a model for future paediatric facilities.
Shortlisted Blossom Children & Young People’s Centre, Portadown Nominated by TODD Architects
Milewater Road Service Centre, Belfast Nominated by Gregory Architects
Corriewood Private Clinic, Castlewellan Nominated by Clanmil Housing Group
Rathview Mental Healthcare Facility, Omagh Nominated by TODD Architects
The Croft, Abbotts Road, Newtownabbey Nominated by TODD Architects
Highly Commended Milewater Road Service Centre, Belfast Surveyor: V B Evans & Company Architect: Gregory Architects Developer/Contractor: Henry Brothers Owner/Client: Translink Nominated by: Gregory Architects
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Regeneration
This award honours exceptional improvements to urban, rural or coa scheme conserved or improved the built or natural environment in a
Winner Let’s Go Hydro, Carryduff Surveyor:
Belfast International Watersports Ltd Architect: RMI Architects Developer/Contractor: Belfast International Watersports Ltd Owner/Client: Belfast International Watersports Ltd Nominated by: RMI Architects Belfast International Watersports Limited commissioned a major water sports and activity centre at Knockbracken Reservoir, a former industrial heritage site. The resort has provided a new lease of life to the reservoir, associated former Superintendents’ House and the local community. The development includes several new facilities which provide an outdoor experience including an Aqua Park with Boathouse Café, a Canoe Polo Park, a Cable Park and a Glampsite for 40 overnight pods.
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astal areas. Judges were looking for evidence to show that the way that contributed to the viability of the area.
The judges said Let’s Go Hydro, a major new Water Sports and Activity Resort has spectacularly regenerated Knockbracken Reservoir, a former industrial heritage site decommissioned in 2000. This low environmental impact scheme puts Carryduff and Northern Ireland on the map with an almost unique within Europe invigorating outdoor experience including; an Aqua Park with Boathouse Café, a Canoe Polo Park, a Cable Park and a Glampsite for 40 overnight pods. This fantastic new visitor attraction provides for the local community, day trippers, overnight stays and hosting international championships.
Shortlisted Asia Supermarket, Belfast Nominated by Edmond Shipway
Lisburn City Centre Public Realm Nominated by The Paul Hogarth Company
Let’s Go Hydro, Carryduff Nominated by RMI Architects
Northland Road, Derry/Londonderry Nominated by Gregory Architects
Seaview Hall, Glenarm Nominated by Hamilton Architects
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Residential
This award honours an outstanding residential development of either Judges were looking for evidence of a successful project across a wid
Winner Northland Road, Derry/ Londonderry, Surveyor:
Andrew G. Crawford & Company Architect: Gregory Architects Developer/Contractor: MJ McBride Construction Owner/Client: Clanmil Housing Association Nominated by: Gregory Architects Balliniskea Heights is a social housing development completed for Clanmil Housing Association at Northland Road, Derry/ Londonderry. The scheme included sixty-two one and two bedroom apartments arranged in four blocks around a formal square and sixteen two and three bedroom semidetached houses arranged informally around an open space incorporating a children’s play area. Sustainable technologies were included in the design including the use of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery units in the houses and apartments and the use of photovoltaic panels on the roofs.
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er a single building or overall scheme, either new build or conversion. de range of criteria.
The judges said Clanmil Housing Association’s social rented apartments and houses scheme at Northland Road, Derry is a worthy winner of the residential category due to its excellent design and landscaping; the re-use of a former contaminated industrial site for much needed high-quality social housing including 22 apartments for the over 55s; the children’s play park; and the sense of place and community which has been created. Gregory Architects won the scheme following a design competition and their attention to high quality detailing and sustainability has been excellent.
Shortlisted Carnlough House, Carnlough Nominated by Farren Architects
Laurel Hill Gardens, Coleraine Nominated by Radius Housing
Cullingtree Meadows, Belfast Nominated by Clanmil Housing Association
Northland Road, Derry/Londonderry Nominated by Gregory Architects
The Front, Holywood Nominated by Hugh J. O’Boyle Ltd
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Tourism & Leisure This award honours projects that make an outstanding contribution
Winner Grand Central Hotel, Belfast Surveyor:
Hood McGowan Kirk LLP Architect: RPP Architects Developer/Contractor: GRAHAM Owner/Client: Hastings Hotel Group Nominated by: Hood McGowan Kirk LLP Grand in name and grand in composition, Grand Central Hotel evokes the character of the past while encapsulating Belfast’s vibrant future. Standing majestically in Bedford Street as Northern Ireland’s largest hotel, and the tallest commercial building in Ireland, this £53m project involved the transformation of a 1970’s office block, Windsor House, into a fourstar hotel. The Grand Central Hotel makes use of the concrete frame of the former office building to establish a 23-storey hotel with 300 bedrooms.
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to tourism and leisure facilities in the region or their locality.
The judges said This is an absolutely fantastic building which is custom designed and with the highest spec in terms of finishes. The standard of construction and materials used is outstanding. The project has provided employment, raised economic activity and is a landmark building in the heart of the city centre. An impeccable show of innovation of design and functionality to appeal to consumers from all over the world.
Shortlisted Enniskillen Castle Museum & Visitors Centre, Enniskillen Nominated by Hamilton Architects
HMS Caroline, Alexandra Dock & Thompson Dock Pump House, Belfast Nominated by Consarc Conservation
The Courtyards at Montalto, Ballynahinch Nominated by Hugh J. O’Boyle Ltd
Galgorm Halodome, Ballymena Nominated by Hugh J. O’Boyle Ltd
Let’s Go Hydro, Carryduff Nominated by RMI Architects
Windsor-Olympia Sports Hub, Belfast Nominated by Hamilton Architects
Grand Central Hotel, Belfast Nominated by Hood McGowan Kirk LLP
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Friday 4 October 2019 Royal Lancaster Hotel, London
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Project of the Year
This award is honours presented excellent to thework project in the which conservation has been judged of a single overall bui renovation both the built or conversion and naturalto environments. a new or original use.
Winner The Mourne Wall Restoration Project, County Down Surveyor: RPS Group Architect: Geda Construction Developer/Contractor: Geda Construction Owner/Client: Northern Ireland Water Nominated by: Geda Construction In the magnificent Mourne Mountains lies Northern Ireland’s longest listed building, the Mourne Wall. This 22-mile structure forms a rough circle as it traverses 15 peaks. Through time it had fallen into disrepair due to exposure to the elements, erosion from walking and lightning strikes. The Wall was built in 1904 to mark and protect the 9,000-acre water catchment which feeds the Silent Valley Binnian Tunnel and Ben Crom Reservoirs, but since then has acted as so much more than a boundary. It contributes to grazing control, maintaining a high raw water quality, and limits wildfire impact, provides
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Sponsored by
ilding as anor excellent structure example or a group of best of buildings practice or bystructures professionals andworking covers in shelter to walkers and is a recognised navigation aid – often referred to “the granite handrail” – for the 100,000 plus walkers visiting the Mourne Mountains each year. With signs of severe deterioration and difficulties managing the catchment area, owners NIW embarked on a journey to restore this 22mile long wall funding the £1.6m works through their PC15 capital works programme. A strong partnership was forged including Michael Donnelly from NIW, Niall McGovern Contracts Manager Geda Construction, Alice Whittington PM from RPS, Martin Carey Chief Executive Mourne Heritage Trust and Thomas Rooney Stone Masons. With a shared understanding and agreement of a common goal the project team worked collaboratively and showed the power of persistence – reflecting the qualities of the hardy original Mourne stonemasons. Through Early Contractor Involvement (NEC Option A) Geda was tasked with surveying the wall. In order to overcome terrain, accurately record and provide information swiftly they utilised modern drone and mapping technology to complete this work within a 3-month period. Extensive meetings with landowners and stakeholders were carried out to establish access routes and project risks. The wall itself ranges from 600mm to
over 3.5m high and consisted of single graded rounded stone construction or double skin cut stone with capping stone. A significant achievement was the sourcing of existing mined stone (stone which would have built the existing wall) from 3 abandoned quarries within the Mournes, ensuring both authenticity of the works and minimal disturbance of the geology. With capping stones weighing approximately 60-140kg each we utilised long line aerial lifting to minimise environmental impact and health and safety risks and to provide an economical solution, collaborating with SKYHOOK to move 600 tonnes of stone from the quarries. Working with Mourne Heritage Trust and local stone masons – whose forefathers had worked on the wall harnessed both local knowledge and best practice excellence, ensuring delivery of repairs of over 2400m. Experiencing the most challenging weather conditions along with at least a 6km hike a day were standard challenges encountered by the team. Working in a Special Area of Conservation, Area of Special Scientific Interest and the heart of an Area of Outstanding Beauty the works methodology duly reflected commitment to minimising environmental impact e.g. use of specialist, low impact transport (ArgoCat) to protect habitats and drone
technology to minimise carbon footprint. Positive steps were also taken to ensure social sustainability for the community e.g. use of local labour, student employment, training, local sourcing and reuse of materials (granite stones and stiles). Through collaboration, combining traditional and innovative methods and determination this project was completed on budget and half the estimated programme. Typical cost per linear meter range from £100–£500m. The drone technology and digital mapping have assisted NIW in developing a maintenance programme in line with legislative requirements for the wall, ensuring continued conservation. Every member of this project team and all associated stakeholders (Mourne Heritage Trust, Rivers Agency, NI Environment Agency, National Trust, Forrest Service, Department of Agriculture, Environment, Rural Affairs, Department for Communities, Walking Groups and Farmers) played a key role in the success of this project, their pride and commitment to restore this exceptional landmark through an environmental approach – in the face of the daily challenges faced – is why we collectively believe it is a worthy contender for this award.
The judges said In the magnificent Mourne Mountains lies Northern Ireland’s longest listed building ‘the Mourne Wall’. Built in 1904, the wall is a prominent feature of the scenic Mourne mountains, crossing 15 peaks with a total length of 22 miles. The £1.6m restoration project involved repairing 2400m of drystone granite wall, blending traditional skills and craftsmanship with modern surveying techniques to return the wall to its original condition. RICS judges commended the collaboration between stakeholders to overcome the many challenges in completing the project, whilst working to minimise impact on the environment so future generations can enjoy this exceptional landmark. 25
RICS Matrics
Young Surveyor of the Year 2019 Celebrating inspirational surveying professionals Award categories are: • • • • • • • • •
Apprentice of the Year Asset and Facilities Management Building Surveying Commercial Property Land (Rural and Urban) Mentor of the Year Project Management Residential Property Quantity Surveying
• Valuation
Closing date for entries – 12 July 2019 *Open to all young surveyors, trainees and apprentices aged under 35.
Want to be Young Surveyor of the Year 2019? Nominate or enter now – rics.org/ysoya
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