BBC headquarters wins award

Staff are due to move into the new building in 2004

People in Leeds say the BBC's new headquarters is their favourite new building in the city.

Residents voted for the new building, at St Peter's Square at Quarry Hill, to win the "People's Award" in the annual ceremony at the Royal Armouries organised by the city council.

BBC staff are due to move into the new headquarters from their current site, in Woodhouse Lane, in 2004.

The building is a joint development with the nearby Leeds College of Music which has a 350 seat concert hall already in use.

Other winners included Leeds City Council's revamped City Square for landscape design, and Ford Bank at 31 Westgate in Wetherby for best new building.

Who won what Lighting - 1 Dock Street, Leeds Landscape - City Square, Leeds New Building - Ford Bank, 31 Westgate, Wetherby Conserved/Altered building - The Small Mill, Chadwick Street, Leeds People's Award - BBC Headquarters/Leeds College of Music Auditorium

Members of the public, business leaders, owners and architects nominated 38 schemes for the awards.

Categories also included best conserved or altered building, and best lighting.

Leeds City Councillor Elizabeth Minkin, who has responsibility for development said: "Innovative design has played a key role in the renaissance and development of Leeds as an vibrant city.

"These awards represent what is new and up-coming in the area and set an excellent example for developers to follow."