A multi-million-pound scheme to transform Whitehaven has been shortlisted for two national awards.

The Planning Awards recognise excellence in the sector and profit-for-purpose property firm BEC has been named as a finalist for its ambitious North Shore project.

Work will start soon on transforming the vacant bus station into the Buzz Station.

The Buzz Station will be Cumbria’s premier digital and creative hub, BEC says.

It will combine flexible working space and artisan food offering to become a cutting-edge home of innovation, disruption and imagination at Whitehaven’s North Shore. Sellafield Ltd are supporting the Buzz Station with strategic support and £2.6m investment.

The wider North Shore scheme proposes a four-star hotel, multi-storey car park and around 75,000 sq ft office development that will sit alongside the Buzz Station.

BEC wants Whitehaven’s harbour front to become a beacon for sustainable development as it strives to be zero net carbon (ZNC).

The firm is working with Copeland Borough Council and Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners on the project.

BEC’s North Shore scheme is a finalist in the category for Plan Making and The Buzz Station scheme has been shortlisted in the Planning Permission of the Year category.

BEC’s chief executive Michael Pemberton said: “This is testament to the hard work of the team and partners to date.

"We have a long way to go in delivering the scheme but this national recognition gives us confidence we are getting the crucial early stages right.”

Winners will be announced on June 4.