Sussex homes, park and vineyard up for South Downs design award

An eco home in Rodmell near Lewes and Wild Park in Brighton are among the mix of projects shortlisted for a South Downs Design Award.

More than 60 nominations were received across Sussex and Hampshire for the National Park’s award scheme that celebrates design, architecture and innovation.

Sixteen unique projects, ten of which are in Sussex, have been shortlisted by judges, and are now in with a chance of winning a stunning trophy, beautifully hand-carved in South Downs oak by acclaimed sculptor Alison Crowther.

A judging panel, which includes members of the National Park’s Design Review Panel, will visit each shortlisted site and decide the winner in each of the four categories: Residential, Non-residential, Landscape and Conservation.

The restoration of Stanmer Park in Brighton is up for the conservation award (Image: South Downs National Park Authority)

The public will also get to vote for their favourite out of the 16 for an overall People’s Choice award.

All the winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony, to be held at the South Downs Centre – itself a converted Victorian school – in Midhurst on October 2.

Tote Hill Barn in Stedham near Midhurst (Image: South Downs National Park Authority)

Mike Hughes, interim planning director for the National Park Authority, said: “I want to thank everyone who nominated and it’s been a really difficult task to shortlist as the calibre was so high.

“We’ve got an incredible mix of projects that show how diverse the built environment is in the South Downs, which is by far the most populated of any National Park in the UK and is a place where people, nature and history come together.

“Many of the projects incorporate first-class biodiversity and climate enhancements, while others showcase design innovation that creates wonderful living spaces or the amazing restorations of extremely old buildings. Other projects show the vision for the future to continue enhancing this treasured landscape.

“I’m looking forward to finding out the public’s favourite and I would invite everyone to have a good look at the brochure to find out more about each project.”

Wallands Community School rain garden in Lewes (Image: South Downs National Park Authority)

The full list of shortlisted projects is:

Residential category:

• Black Timber House, Rodmell
• Hocking House, Petersfield
• Lannings Way, Midhurst
• The Mile House, Amberley

Non-residential category:

• Handlebar Café, Winchester
• New Temple Complex, Liss
• Prince’s Mead School Extension, Winchester

Landscape category:

• Cockshut Stream Restoration, Lewes
• Wallands Community Primary School Raingarden, Lewes
• Woolbeding Glasshouse, Woolbeding, near Midhurst
• Wild Park, Brighton

Conservation category:

• The Dower House, Chawton, Hampshire
• The Restoration of Stanmer Park, Falmer
• Tote Hill Barn, Stedham
• Wiston Estate Winery, Washington
• Chalk-based Renovation, Remediation and Regeneration (Shoreham Cement Works)