Gallery: Full list of winners from this year's Fenland Building Design Awards

HERITAGE AWARD (New Build) – sponsored by WHITING & PARTNERS

WINNER – 57A NORTH BRINK, WISBECH

OWNER – MR J TAYLOR

SELF-BUILD PROJECT

NOMINEE – BRAND ASSOCIATES (DESIGNER)

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: “This imposing new build dwelling and garage that has been designed to fit in within the historical area of North Brink, Wisbech, with its many fine Listed Buildings. The property will eventually form a court yard development when two further homes are built.

“The design is traditional and simple on the outside, but the home has a stunning open plan interior featuring timber, glass and stainless steel stairs and balustrade helping light flood in from the vaulted roof sun room.

“The use of oak windows, reclaimed bricks and clay pantiles has helped to create a beautiful home and enhance the area.

“Last year a neighbouring property on the site was highly commended this year it is our winner.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: 74 Elwyn Road, March.

HERITAGE AWARD (Conversion or Renovation) – sponsored by GRAHAM DACK AND COMPANY SOLICITORS

WINNER – BLACK LANE FARM, BLACK LANE, GOREFIELD

OWNER – MR J TAYLOR (who self-managed the project)

NOMINEE – DAVID BROKER (AGENT)

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: “ORIGINALLY a substantial three-storey home, the building had been used as a farm barn for more than 50 years and had fallen into a very bad state of repair.

“The project was undertaken as a self build and the result is a restoration of the property to its original form.

“The extension to the back of the building is in keeping with the original work and painstaking construction work, re-pointing and attention to detail have all helped to create an excellent four-bedroom home, while also maintaining the character of the building.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: W4, Exchange Square, Wisbech; Beaufort Barns, Needham Bank, Friday Bridge.

HOME AWARD (One-off Dwelling) – sponsored by ALPHA SIGNS

WINNER – KINGS BARN, LANGWOOD FEN, CHATTERIS

OWNER – MR ALLEN

SELF-BUILD PROJECT

NOMINEE – PETER HUMPHREY ASSOCIATES (DESIGNER)

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: “This was the hardest category to judge. There were so many high quality entries that we really struggled to shortlist these.

“The winner is a bespoke designed detached home located in the open countryside. The new property has several traditional farmhouse design features with the style replicating a barn conversion.

“The courtyard style maximises the appearance on the approach to the site and the property itself is a two-storey house with a one-and-a-half-storey section on the side which forms a mezzanine floor over the kitchen/breakfast area.

“There is an additional single storey element comprising of the car port and garage area with an attic roof over which provides an office area away from the main part of the house.

“Lots of glazing has been incorporated with the large atrium to the front elevation and a sun lounge with glazing to all elevations.

“A great deal of care went into the designing of oak beams and feature lintels within various areas of the building. King post trusses have been used in the sun lounge to create an authentic looking barn and it is adjudged our winner.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Meadow Barn, Horsemoor Road, Wimblington; 6 Aspenwood Grove, March; 57a North Brink, Wisbech; 5 Marina Drive, March.

HOME AWARD (Two-10 Dwellings) – sponsored by WFS ANGLIA

WINNER – WILLOW HOLT, NORWICH ROAD, WISBECH

OWNER/BUILDER – MEADOWSON PROPERTIES LTD

NOMINEE – PETER HUMPHREY ASSOCIATES (DESIGNER)

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: “The site originally housed a 1960s bungalow which was not making the best use of the land available.

“The bungalow was demolished to make way for the building of five houses and one flat. The scale and proportions of the properties reflect the character of the surroundings and as such the dwellings easily assimilates into the street scene.

“The properties also use good choice of detailing and have been built to a high standard, and are adjudged as our winner.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Aspenwood Grove, March; 31 & 33 High Broadgate, Tydd St Giles.

HOME AWARD (Domestic Extension) – sponsored by FIXINGS AND PLASTIC CENTRE LTD, WISBECH

WINNER – FIELD HOUSE, HOCKLAND ROAD, TYDD ST GILES

OWNER/NOMINEE – MR AND MRS ADAMS

DESIGNER – DAVID TRUNDLEY

MAIN CONTRACTOR – JOHN COOK LTD

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: “Field House is a historical property believed to be more than 300 years old and when bought by the present owners Mr and Mrs P Adams it was in need of some renovation.

“It had two lean-to rooms which were in need of repair - one was a 1970s white UPVC sun room with asbestos room which was totally at odds to the rest of the house.

“The lean-to rooms were demolished and a two-storey side extension was built using reclaimed bricks to preserve the aged appearance of the house. The rear extension was finished externally in weather board to continue the historical theme.

“Inside there are many character features using reclaimed beams and custom made internal doors and kitchen.

“Vast improvements have been made to insulation and a renewable energy heating system installed to allow an old building to be brought into the 21st century.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: 5 High Street, Doddington; 19 Love Lane, Whittlesey.

HOME AWARD (Conversion to Form a Dwelling) – sponsored by PREMIER PROPERTIES

WINNER – BEAUFORT BARNS, NEEDHAM BANK, FRIDAY BRIDGE

OWNER – MR AND MRS FENN

SELF-BUILD PROJECT

NOMINEE – GRAHAME SEATON (DESIGNER)

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: “The completed dwelling incorporates two redundant barns joined together with a new extension. The link building forms the dining room and was constructed in materials to blend in with the renovated barns.

“As the external brick walls of the old barns were in a poor state it was decided to cover all of them with a mixture of new brickwork and dark stained feather edge boards set on softwood timber battens.

“The whole conversion has been carried out in an environmentally friendly manner with higher than required insulation methods used to the walls, roof and floor construction.

“Under floor heating has been installed throughout and the heating is a combination of a ground source heat pump, wood burning stoves and oil boiler and is adjudged as our winner.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Black Lane Farm, Black Lane, Gorefield.

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

WINNER – ELVEDEN HOUSE, GULL ROAD, GUYHIRN

NOMINEE/OWNER – MR AND MRS EDWARDS

SELF-BUILD PROJECT

DESIGNER – PETER HUMPHREY ASSOCIATES

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: “The dwelling was carefully designed to respect the character of the existing properties on The Gull, but also achieve a high level of sustainability.

“Additional insulation has been added to improve the energy efficiency of the home, which also has a high-efficiency oil fired boiler. In tandem with the boiler, solar tiles on the south facing side of the roof provide hot water for the dual coil hot water tank.

“Also installed as part of the sustainability of the home is a rainwater harvesting system.

“A further sustainability feature is the home office over the garage, insulated to the same standards, and reducing the need to travel – and is adjudged our winner.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: 19 Love Lane, Whittlesey, 74 Elwyn Road, March.

COMMERCIAL AWARD – sponsored by MT CARS, WHITTLESEY

WINNER – WISBECH LIBRARY, 5 ELY PLACE, WISBECH

NOMINEE/CONTRACTOR – KIER EASTERN

OWNER – CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

DESIGNER – MOUCHEL

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: “The mid-1970s library is situated within the historic setting of the Crescent in Wisbech. It has been extended at ground and first floor level to provide more spacious and modern facilities fit for the 21st century.

“These new facilities include a learning centre, community meeting and activity rooms, more internet-linked computers, more study spaces, more room for children’s books, better facilities for displaying local heritage resources, new toilets and a lift.

“Local people were involved in planning the project from the start. Hundreds of people took part in a consultation that helped prepare the successful bid for �2million of Big Lottery funding, and customers alongside groups and organisations continued to work with Cambridgeshire County Council to design and shape the facilities.

“It is adjudged our winner.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: W4, Exchange Square, Wisbech; Rosmini Centre, Queen’s Road, Wisbech.

STREET SCENE AWARD

WINNER – 24 HIGH STREET, WISBECH

NOMINEE/CONTRACTOR – WISARD (WHICH ORGANISED FOR THE SHOP FRONT TO BE PAINTED)

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: “For many years Wisbech High Street has had a number of vacant buildings in a poor state of repair, which has been detrimental to the built environment.

“In 2008, Fenland District Council made safe the gap site at 24 High Street and boarded over the frontage with plywood. WisARD then asked permission to paint a shop front on to the ply to make the site look more attractive and blend in with the street scene.

“WisARD was able to obtain a photograph of the last shop on the site from the Cook family and employed artist Richard Roberts to carry out the work.

“The project featured on BBC Look East and contributed to the success of Wisbech in Bloom in both the regional and national competitions.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: W4, Exchange Square, Wisbech.

PLANNING AWARD (A scheme adjudged to be the best designed application approved by the planning committee/officers)

WINNER – THE BLACKFRIARS, ST AUGUSTINE’S ROAD, WISBECH

AGENT – JSA PLANNING

OWNER – MR GULLIS

WHAT THE PLANNING COMMITTEE/OFFICERS SAID: “The proposal involves the replacement of a vacant public house with a 3-storey block of 14 flats. It followed a period of public consultation prior to the submission of the application.

“It has been designed in a semi-contemporary nature with two mono-pitched roof areas and glazing elements throughout.

“The site is situated in a prominent location whereby the proposal will make a positive contribution to the surrounding area.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Land north of Fencroft, Leverington Common, Leverington; 67a Elwyn Road, March; Land north of 130 Elm Road, Wisbech.

QUALITY CONSTRUCTION AWARD (Adjudged to be the best in terms of overall quality construction, and was judged by the Building Control Surveyors) – sponsored by PDR PROPERTY LAWYERS, WHITTLESEY

WINNER – 57A NORTH BRINK, WISBECH

OWNER – MR TAYLOR

WHAT THE BUILDING CONTROL TEAM SAID: “This self-built project was managed by the owner Mr Taylor.

“Because of the historical surrounding of the site it was important that great attention to details was made.

“The construction was part completed with re-claimed materials and is of a very high standard throughout with local trade used, and is adjudged as our winner.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Elveden House, Gull Road, Guyhirn; 37 Bevills Close, Doddington.

CONSERVATION AWARD (Judged by Fenland District Council’s Conservation and Planning Officers)

WINNER – CHURCH ROAD, LEVERINGTON

OWNER – MR AND MRS ASHBY

WHAT THE OFFICERS SAID: “This Grade Two listed building was until recently on the Buildings At Risk Register. It has now been restored, partly thanks to some grant aid from Fenland District Council, to replace the thatched roof.”

COMMUNITY AWARD (Chosen by Cambs Times/Wisbech Standard readers) – sponsored by A DOWNING AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS, GOREFIELD

WINNER – WISBECH LIBRARY, 5 ELY PLACE, WISBECH

NOMINEE/CONTRACTOR – KIER EASTERN

OWNER – CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

DESIGNER – MOUCHEL

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Rosmini Centre, Queen’s Road, Wisbech; 24 High Street, Wisbech; March Bandstand, West End Park, March.