Sussex Heritage Trust Awards 2021: The winners revealed

Excellent design, architecture and craftmanship were the winners at the 2021 Sussex Heritage Trust Awards.

Thirty award-winning projects were announced at the 2021 Sussex Heritage Trust Awards on Wednesday (September 15).

Simon Knight, chairman of the Sussex Heritage Trust, presented the Awards to a sold-out ceremony and lunch at Pangdean Old Barn, Pyecombe, with guests including the High Sheriffs of East and West Sussex.

The Awards saw the inaugural announcement of the South Downs Design Award sponsored by the South Downs National Park Authority.

Belloc Close in Midhurst, a Mid-Scale Residential Award winner, won the overall Award for projects based in the South Downs. King and Drury worked closely with MH Architects to create four new homes on the site of a former ambulance station.

The judges noted: “A very exciting and well-thought-out development on a difficult brownfield site, it clearly had care and attention to details high on its list of priorities.”

Ropemaker’s Academy in Hailsham (submitted by ECE Architecture, Worthing), achieved an Award in the Public and Community category, for a school for children and young people with special needs. Famed historically as a centre for the making of string and rope, Hailsham is now home to this sensational, modern building.

The Sussex Heritage Trust judging team said: “The care taken by funders, the client and the architect to ensure that the needs of the young people were met in the design of the building is most impressive and we congratulate all those involved.”

Eastbourne based architects and craftsmen also saw success in the Small Scale Residential category.

John D Clarke Architects achieved an Award for Pond Cottage, a Grade II listed house extension in Alfriston (submitted by Roger Fitton) and Clarke Roofing Southern Limited for Manor Farmhouse, a Grade II* listed L-shaped home in Newhaven.

The judging team commented on Manor Farmhouse: “A high standard of detailing and workmanship has been employed on the roofs, with further improvement work imaginatively conceived and well executed. The project has a real wow factor – it is exemplary!”

Three Small Scale Residential projects based in Lewes and the surrounding area received Awards: Landour, Telscombe (submitted by MortonScarr Architects, Brighton) – a new flint-clad house located on the top of the South Downs; Manor Farmhouse, Newhaven (submitted by Clarke Roofing Southern, Eastbourne); and, Tin Tabernacle in Barcombe (submitted by the owners, architects David Jenkins Design, Haywards Heath) – the renovation of an ex-mission hall/chapel. The judging team commented on Tin Tabernacle, a building of local interest: “A great asset has been preserved for future generations, the building was a delight to behold and the owners had worked hard to retain the essence of the building and had succeeded.”

There were four Highly Commended projects in the Lewes and surrounding area, they included: Merrydown Business Park, Maresfield (submitted by Westcott Leach Limited, Hailsham); Smiths Yard, Ditching (submitted by Bedford Park Developments); Old Cowman’s Cottage, Mayfield (submitted by Mackellar Schwerdt Architects, Lewes); and, Abbots Barn, Ripe (submitted by BakerBrown Studio, Cooksbridge).

Chichester-based architect, Jane Jones-Warner of Jane Jones-Warner Associates was announced as the 2021 Sussex Heritage Person of the Year, sponsored by Harvey’s Brewery.

Chairman Mr Knight said: “There is no doubt the extraordinary contribution the Awards have achieved to heritage and good design in Sussex. This is underlined by our Sussex Heritage Person of the Year, Jane Jones-Warner, whose 30-year career has focused on building conservation. Her passion began at Uppark in West Sussex, where she was based on-site for three years following their devastating fire in 1989.

“More recently Jane was the project architect at Grade II* listed West Dean College for their extensive conservation roof repair project.

“I am absolutely delighted to recognise Jane’s career and passion for heritage by acknowledging her as Sussex Heritage Person of the Year and congratulate all our winning and highly commended projects.”

The Sussex Heritage Trust is a charity established in 1977 to preserve, improve and encourage the appreciation of the architectural and natural landscape of Sussex. The awards celebrate a wide variety of architectural and landscape projects, building craft and a Sussex Heritage Person of the Year.

To find out more about all of the award winners and Highly Commended projects, visit: www.sussexheritagetrust.org.uk

The full list of winners:

Winners

Building Craft Award

Anthony Riggall for restoration of Drew’s Barn, Warnham Park, Horsham

Gary Shepherd, Shepherd & Grantham Stonemasons Ltd for work to St George’s Church, Donnington

Liam O’Neill, Lion Roofing for work to West Lodge, Seaford College, Petworth