Category: Education
Two of Stepnells projects have been shortlisted in the Medium Non-Residential Scheme of the Year category at the ProCon Leicestershire Awards 2026 for two major projects: the Leicester Diabetes Centre extension at Leicester General Hospital (Entered by SGP) and the new Sports Hall at Loughborough College (Entered by Stepnell).
The announcement confirms both schemes as finalists in one of the county’s flagship construction categories, with judging visits completed and membership voting now underway ahead of the awards dinner at The King Power Stadium in November.
Award context
The ProCon Leicestershire Awards celebrate the best of the built environment across Leicestershire and Rutland, recognising projects that have reached practical completion within 18 months prior to 30 June 2026.
The Medium Non-Residential Scheme of the Year Award is for non-residential projects with a contract value between ÂŁ3m and ÂŁ10m, judged on design excellence, construction quality, sustainability, innovation and how well the development meets occupier needs.
Shortlisted applicants are visited by a panel of expert judges, before finalists are confirmed and put to a vote by both the expert panel and ProCon membership.
Leicester Diabetes Centre, Leicester General Hospital
The Leicester Diabetes Centre extension is a new three-storey research facility that strengthens the centre’s position as a leading UK institution for diabetes and long-term conditions research.
Designed by Stephen George + Partners and delivered by Stepnell for University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and the University of Leicester.
Key features include:
- Contemporary profiled silver metal cladding that distinguishes the extension while respecting the original building
- Full-height glazing and careful orientation to maximise natural daylight for staff, researchers and visitors
- Additional clinical research space, a lifestyle gymnasium, metabolic kitchen and offices to support future growth
The facility is designed to be flexible and future-proof, enabling the centre to build on its growth from one research nurse to more than 200 colleagues over 12 years and continue improving healthcare outcomes locally, nationally and internationally.
Read more about this project: https://www.stepnell.co.uk/projects/the-diabetes-centre-lgh/
Loughborough College Sports Hall
Loughborough College Sports Hall is a three-storey, 2,750 sq m sports and learning facility that forms a flagship element of the College’s wider £35m investment programme.
Delivered by Stepnell for Loughborough College, with Bond Bryan as architect, the ÂŁ9.9m project completed in 2025 on a live, operational campus, requiring careful phasing to protect student safety and minimise disruption.
The building brings together specialist sporting and academic accommodation, including:
- A sports hall capable of hosting a 40m x 20m Premier League-standard handball court
- A strength and conditioning suite, cardiovascular training areas and an external running track
- Modern classrooms, changing and staff facilities
- A Performance and Recovery Centre supporting the College’s sport degree programmes
Sustainability is integral to the design, with high thermal efficiency, air-source heat pumps and a 76-panel solar PV array forecast to generate around 29,300 kWh of renewable electricity per year.
Read more about this project: https://www.stepnell.co.uk/projects/loughborough-college-sports-hall/
What happens next
The winners will be revealed at the ProCon Awards Dinner and Ceremony on Thursday 12 November 2026 at The King Power Stadium, Leicester.
Stepnell’s double shortlisting underlines its role in delivering complex, high-quality healthcare and education projects across the East Midlands, combining technical delivery with strong sustainability and user-focused design.
