North Norfolk’s buildings some of the best in the country

North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) had three finalists and walked away with a winner at the 2012 East Anglia Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence awards held on 18 May. The award consolidates last year’s success when NNDC claimed more award winners than any other single authority in East Anglia.

North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) had three finalists and walked away with a winner at the 2012 East Anglia Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence awards held on 18 May. The award consolidates last year’s success when NNDC claimed more award winners than any other single authority in East Anglia. This year North Norfolk achieved the only winner from a Norfolk authority.
The winner, in the Best Domestic Extension category, was Tithe Barn, Old Lane, Walcott, owned by Mr and Mrs R I Watson; Architect, SMG Architects; Contractor, Peter Woodrow.

The finished building is very efficient (in design and construction), using fresh water from the borehole on site. It also has above standard insulation and fourteen heating zones for optimum efficiency.

A spokesman for NNDC’s Building Control department said of Tithe Barn, “The owners were keen to ‘get it right’ while retaining the character of the building. Not only have the owner, architect and builder got it right, they have created an excellent property in both appearance and construction.”

The judges said, “A simple single storey extension creating interesting internal space, an exposed roof and contemporary cladding to the main barn.”

The two shortlisted finalists were The Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market, in the Best Commercial Building category and N F Coverdale Ltd in the Best Partnership category.

In describing The Gunton Arms (owned by Mr and Mrs I Braka; Architect, Killigrew King and C&M Architects; Contractor, N F Coverdale Ltd) NNDC’s Building Control surveyor said of the Gunton Arms, “This fantastic Grade 2 listed building has been transformed by the custodian (Ivor Braka) from a decaying, unloved relic into a grand and bold commercial centre for the local community. No expense has been spared lovingly restoring this former coach house to a glory that in reality it may never have known before.”

The contractor on The Gunton Arms and finalist in the Best Partner category, N F Coverdale Ltd, has worked with NNDC on a number of projects. The Council’s surveyor said of the company’s workforce, “They are a pleasure to deal with, extremely diligent and transparent on site, allowing free reign to inspect, when and what we please. This has created a partner style relationship between our respective organisations built on trust. All staff on site are approachable and engaging.”

Portfolio holder for Planning, Councillor Keith Johnson said, “I strongly believe that the success achieved at the LABC Building Excellence awards is indicative of the exceptional quality available here in North Norfolk, and I am extremely proud at what NNDC, architects, builders and local people have been able to achieve to enhance our built environment.”

ENDS