Multi-million housing redevelopment is catergorised with the Olympic Park and Leicester Square

While many people may not automatically put the Stonebridge Estate in the same category as the now world famous Olympic Park and the iconic Leicester Square they can now as all three are potential winners of a major planning award.

The estate, once one of the most notorious in Britain, has been shortlisted for an award in the London Planning Awards 2013.

The awards, now in their tenth year, aim to celebrate the outstanding contribution of planners to the urban redevelopment of the capital.

Stonebridge today, is a far cry away from the previous environment when tower blocks, graffiti and crime littered the surroundings.

It is one of four finalists in the Best Built Project – five years on category, which looks to recognise the achievement of regenerating an area and its lasting impact.

Between 1996 and 2008 the estate was completely redeveloped and now boasts a provision of affordable homes, three new parks, a community centre, a Primary Care Trust Health Centre and sports facilities.

Cllr Ann John OBE, who has been a Stonebridge councillor since 1990 and was leader of Brent Council for much of the redevelopment, said she was ‘delighted’ at the nomination.

She said: “This development was about so much more than just knocking down tower blocks.

“A great local infrastructure was also put in place which has created jobs given residents more activities and improved the quality of life.”

She added: “It is unrecognisable from what it was, I think it would be a worthy winner.”

Other nominations include the Olympic Park for best built project and the Old Oak Common redevelopment for best conceptual project.

The awards will be presented by Boris Johnson, Mayor of London at a ceremony at City Hall on January 31.