Two Rother projects win building control awards

More than 40 winners were presented with certificates and trophies at the ceremony at the Old Ship Hotel, Brighton.

The award scheme is open to architects, designers, builders and construction professionals and is supported by local authority building control services throughout Sussex.

The prestigious event was attended by more than 160 professionals from across the construction industry.

Glass trophies were presented to the winners of each of nine categories, rewarding a wide variety of work from domestic extensions to multi million pound projects '“ proving that quality is of utmost importance to all local authority building control customers.

First prize in the Best Commercial Project category went to Dannatt, Johnson Architects and Westridge Construction who were commissioned by English Heritage to design and build the new Battle Visitor Centre.

The world-famous battlefield is English Heritage's fifth most-visited site. The previous visitor area at Battle Abbey had become outdated and run-down.

The new structure houses a number of impressive facilities including a modern caf and has up-to-the-minute interpretation and audio-visual displays.

In the Best Small Domestic Project category, Thompson Builders and Erigo Ltd won first prize for their sympathetic renovation of Phoebe's Shaw, a previously-dilapidated three-bedroom property in Burwash.

The owners worked closely with the architect and builder to renovate the property to a very high level '“ over and above the minimum requirements of the building regulations.

The Built in Quality Awards scheme highlights the importance of building control in achieving high standards,acknowledges the role that building regulations play in the creation of high performance buildings and gives well-deserved recognition to companies and individuals within the construction industry who are committed to producing high quality buildings throughout Sussex.

A Rother spokesman said: "Rother building control is responsible for ensuring that any new building work, be it a house, factory, office or home extension, is checked to make sure that it is designed and constructed to reasonable standards to safeguard public health and safety, to ensure the conservation of fuel and power, and to ensure the provision of proper facilities for disabled people.

"Rother District Council building control service operates, as a separate service unit of the council, concentrating specifically on building control matters, providing a quick and cost-effective service in relation to the checking and approval of development schemes with site inspections to suit the client's work programme, including same day where notices are given before 10.00am (or by prior arrangement).

"The service has unrivalled local knowledge, experience and expertise covering all types of building development, and promotes close liaison and integration with design and construction teams."

All winning projects will now be entered in the National Built in Quality Awards, which take place on October 16 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.