The Kier-built Essa Academy has been announced as one of five projects to be short-listed for this year's Greater Manchester Building of the Year competition run by the Chamber of Commerce Property & Construction Committee.

Judges described the academy as: "A new educational building which has made a significant contribution to the regeneration of the area. It is a well-designed building, which was delivered on time and to budget and is an exemplar of how quality design can respond to specific educational goals".

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Phil Cusack, chairman of the Chamber's Property & Construction Committee, commented: "The UK construction industry has now been in a depressed state for almost four years. We expected that it would be difficult to find exceptional projects for this award but the opposite has proved to be true - we have looked at some great buildings which have been built and designed with imagination and flair. The short list for the Greater Manchester Building of the Year 2012 demonstrates that the city region is still capable of producing the best, even in difficult economic times."

The Chamber's Property & Construction Committee, which consists of industry representatives, nominated a number of buildings and developments from across Greater Manchester at the last committee meeting. The winner will be announced by Sir Howard Bernstein at the property and construction sector's annual dinner on 11 October at the Midland Hotel, Manchester.

(CD/GK)