Building excellence in the spotlight at regional awards

Three North Norfolk developments will be finalists in the regional Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence Awards for 2011.

Projects from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire are competing to be named the best in East Anglia, in 12 categories covering different types of building design, construction and use. The awards, to be given at a dinner at Stoke by Nayland Hotel and Golf Club in Suffolk on 11 May, recognise projects that have been built to the highest standards, and demonstrate innovation and sustainability in design.

The three North Norfolk projects nominated by North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) are:

• Best Commercial Building – The Gunton Arms, Gunton Park. Developer/Owner - Mr & Mrs I Braka, Architect – Killigrew King, Contractor – N F Coverdale Ltd.

“This fantastic Grade 2 listed building has been transformed from a decaying, unloved relic into a grand and bold commercial centre for the local community.”

• Best Domestic Extension – Tithe Barn, Walcott. Developer/client – Mr & Mrs R I Watson, Architect – SMG Architects, Contractor – P Woodrow & Co Ltd, Hethersett.

“The finished building is very efficient (in design and construction) with fresh water by way of the borehole on site, above standard insulation and fourteen heating zones for optimum efficiency.”

• Best Partnership – N F Coverdale Ltd & North Norfolk District Council Building Control.

“N.F. Coverdale Ltd continue to work with the District Council’s Building Control team on large scale, conservation based projects in a ‘partnership’ based on mutual respect.”

Regional winners will go forward to the national LABC Building Excellence Awards, to be presented in November.

Last year there were five finalists from North Norfolk, New Victory Hall, Neatishead;
Curve House, Edgefield; Sunnyside Farm, Colby; Petersfield Mews, Horning, along with NNDC Building Control, SMG Architects and Norfolk Homes as the best partnership. New Victory Hall won the award for the Best Community Building and Curve House was the winner of the Best Individual House category.

NNDC Cabinet Member for Planning, Keith Johnson, said, “We’re very fortunate in North Norfolk to work with builders and architects who are determined to reach the very best standards in their work. I wish our entrants all the very best — they deserve to be honoured for the lengths they go to, and the contribution they make to our communities, especially in these difficult financial times.”

# For more information, visit www.labcbuildingexcellenceawards.uk.com
# Images of the nominated developments are available on request

ENDS