Innovative design to be recognised as new awards are launched for National Park

An exciting new awards scheme is being launched to promote outstanding and innovative design in the South Downs National Park.

The South Downs National Park Design Awards celebrate projects that have made a standout contribution to the landscape, heritage, built environment and local communities.

The awards will recognise and promote high standards of design and raise awareness of the positive contribution that good design can make to the quality of the local environment.

Tim Slaney, Director of Planning at the South Downs National Park Authority, says:

“The awards are a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the contribution that good design can make to the quality of our local environments and communities.

“There is design work across Hampshire and Sussex that pays homage to this special landscape and has the highest standards of architectural and landscape design, conservation and sustainability. It’s time that these kind of inspirational projects are recognised and we’re expecting the standard of the competition to be very high.”

A special awards ceremony will be held on November 12 – tying in with the anniversary of Hillary Benn signing the National Park’s official designation.

Nominations are now open in the following categories:

  • Residential (individual building/housing development small/large)
  • Non-residential (commercial/industrial/infrastructure)
  • 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 added:

“We are welcoming entries of all sizes for each of the categories.”

Entries can be submitted by anyone who considers the scheme suitable for an award, including the owners, architects, designers, developers, parish councils, amenity societies or any member of the public. In all cases the consent of the owner must be obtained prior to making a formal nomination.

For more details and to download a nomination form visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/designaward The deadline for nominations is 5pm on June 28.

Completed entry forms should be e-mailed to design(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)southdowns.gov.uk