First Design Awards for National Park are off to a flying start
July 23, 2019
More than 50 entries ranging from a cinema to a visitor centre have been put forward for the first Design Awards for the South Downs National Park.
Shortlisting has now begun following the nomination period, which closed at the end of June.
The awards will celebrate projects that have made a standout contribution to the landscape, heritage, built environment and local communities of the National Park.
A diverse mix of submissions have been received, including a visitor centre, cinema and restaurant, residential schemes, garden designs and extensions to listed buildings.
Four trophies are being produced by a leading designer, using materials sourced in the National Park. There will be a trophy for best Residential scheme (individual building/housing development small/large), Non-residential (commercial/industrial/infrastructure) and Conservation (landscape/buildings/gardens/craftsmanship).
There will also be a People’s Choice award – voted for by the general public as their favourite across these three categories.
Tim Slaney, Director of Planning at the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “We launched these inaugural awards to raise awareness of the contribution that good design can make to the quality of our local environments and communities.
“The response has been wonderful and we’ve been very impressed with the standard of entries which show real innovation and sensitivity in their design.
“We’ll shortly be announcing the shortlist and launching the People’s Choice award on our website, so stay tuned for updates.”
A special awards ceremony will be held on November 12.
The People’s Choice Awards will be launched early August so please visit www.southdowns.gov.uk for further details and to cast your vote.