DESIGNS by a Rhos-on-Sea architecture student are in the running for an international award.

Nichola Hilton was given the chance to work on a live project for Conwy County Borough Council. She submitted a design for a concessions unit on Colwyn Bay seafront which was selected to be built and forms part of the Colwyn Bay Waterfront Project, a major redevelopment of the town’s seafront.

Since its completion, the development has been put forward for a number of awards, the latest being the People’s Choice Award for the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Nicola who studies at Wrexham Glyndwr University, said: “We were taught to treat each assignment as a live project with client meetings, masterplans, presentations, and so on. That meant that when the opportunity came to work on a real live project with the council arose, all the practice and experience came in to use. It was my most enjoyable assignment at university. It was not only a chance to work with professionals in the industry, but also to be working on a project in my home town.

“The Colwyn Bay Waterfront Project has proven to be a success and has had a huge impact on the local area. As I live a five minute walk away from the waterfront, I have experienced at first hand the immense effect it has made. The first recognisable difference is how popular the promenade is now.

“Beforehand the promenade was pretty bleak, used mainly by dog walkers. But now there is a constant influx of locals and tourists enjoying the Colwyn Bay coast with the modern improvements. The new concessions kiosk and seating has allowed people to sit down, relax and soak in the views and atmosphere.”

Benjamin Poulton, Colwyn Bay waterfront project manager, said: “It has been great seeing Nichola’s work progress from our initial meeting, to a full design, and then becoming an award nominated reality, something she describes as a little haven for a place I love.”