Awards recognise best buildings in Downs

The Awards seek to recognise and reward high quality conservation, restoration and good design of newly built projects and encourage the use of traditional skills and crafts.

A Storrington couple took home The South Downs Society’s Special Commendation award.

Owners of the Tithe Barn, Graham and Gail Kittle, accepted the Highly Commended Certificates from the Rt Hon Lord Egremont DL, President of Sussex Heritage Trust.

A judge on the panel said: “An inspiring project that makes preservation paramount over financial return all within a limited budget.

“The passion of the owners combined with the imagination of the carpenters has ensured an impressive outcome thus far.”

An Arundel home was one of four in Sussex which won the The Small Scale Residential Award.

The architect Jason Hales and owner Mr Bill Tustin of The Ilex Cottage in Burpham, Arundel, collected the plaque and certificates from the Rt Hon Lord Egremont DL.

A judge on the panel said: “A bold and quirky dwelling, which still retains some character of the building it replaced.

“Excellent attention to detail and the project reflects the ecological needs of the modern age including air source heat pump, rainwater harvesting, triple glazing and high levels of thermal insulation.

“The joinery was of a very high standard. The front garden was well laid out for ease of access and maintenance”.

There were 20 awards and 12 highly commended certificates announced this year.

In addition, The South Downs Society has selected two projects for its Special Commendation, inaugurated in 2013.

This recognises projects in the Sussex part of the South Downs National Park which by their design, quality and setting reflect the key features of the landscape quality of the National Park.

The winners receive a hand crafted slate plaque to be displayed at the winning site and all parties involved in the project receive certificates attesting to their contribution to the Award.

The judging teams usually comprise a Sussex Heritage trustee, a professional in the appropriate field and a ‘lay person’ to ensure a balanced view.

All are volunteers and receive no remuneration.

The projects are judged on their own merits against a formal set of criteria,