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Waverley Design Awards 2007
Winning Schemes
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New Buildings
WINNER
Great Tangley Manor, Wonersh
Designed by Damien Blower and Robert Blower
Contractor: Simon James
Nominated by Stedman Blower
Site Context & History:
Great Tangley Manor is a Grade 1 Listed moated manor house, enclosed on 3 sides by formal
gardens that create an ensemble with the house and make it one of Surrey's most intriguing and
beautifully situated houses. The first mention of the Manor is in 1017.
The moated Medieval Manor House is a half -timbered structure with Elizabethan facade and
medieval stone walls. Later additions include the picturesque timbered covered walkway by
Philip Webb and the walled garden.
The house was separated into 2 parts in the late 1950's and remained in separate ownership until
recently, when the applicants and owners of the south- western part of the acquired the north-eastern section. In the 1960's a new wing was added to
the north-east, enclosing a pool courtyard at its centre. In the 1970's further alterations were
made to the interior of the courtyard and the north-west elevation of the original buildings.
While the south and east elevations are reasonably intact and picturesque as a whole, the
south-west and north-west elevations have been much altered and retain far less integrity
architecturally.
Great Tangley Manor (sic) West was extended substantially in the 1970's after winning
Planning Consent on appeal. This work included a very large glass and white plastic
conservatory joining the old and new parts which was felt by the present owners and their
architects to be very unsympathetic with the rest of the house. The 1970's conservatory has
now been removed and replaced with a much smaller simple glass structure that reinstates
the visual appearance of the north-west elevation substantially.
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While there was a great opportunity to make more radical surgery to the later and
unsympathetic additions, it was not really practical at this stage. However, the new design is
of sufficiently light construction to be removed or refashioned at a future date, without
radical alteration to the integrity of the earlier buildings. It is much hoped that one day, the
house will be put back into a single family use and more radical surgery could be
undertaken to improve the North-East elevations of the Manor to a more harmonious whole,
much like the South-East elevation does today.
Judges Comments:
“Completely contemporary, but works so well”
“Discreet but deceptively simple”
“Gives a new meaning to ‘in – keeping!’”
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New Buildings
WINNER
Independent Learning Centre and Sports Centre at Godalming
College, Tuesley Lane, Godalming
Designed by Macallan Penfold
Contractor: Dean and Dyball Construction
Nominated by Martin Mc Carthy, Director of services, Godalming College
Background
As far back as 1987, Surrey LEA Education Sites
and Accommodation Sub-Committee identified
that the College’s library and sports hall facilities
were inadequate, and in 1995, planning permission
was given for a new library and sports hall. In
2005, these buildings were commenced, and
completed by August 2006. The high quality
buildings have transformed the campus and moved
the college much closer to achieving its strategic
aim – ‘to construct a first class campus for a
contemporary college.
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The Independent Learning Centre replaced a two-story ROSLA building and 5 ‘roll-along’ systems
buildings in place since 1964. In some 1600 sq. m it provides specialist space for a library, careers
area, 12 classrooms and other accommodation. It has been designed to a high environmental
specification, and has full disabled access. Over 100 pcs are now available to students in the library,
and private study areas for ‘independent learning.’
The building is designed to a high environmental specification.
External louvers provide shading from direct sunlight and
heating and ventilation is finely balanced to cope with seasonal
variations through use if natural ventilations complemented by
thermostatic controls when necessary.
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The Sports Centre
Prior to the construction of the new sports centre, the college had no dedicated sports facility, and no
changing facilites! The new centre includes changing rooms, multi- purpose sports hall, dance studio
and fitness suite, and two classrooms for teaching PE courses. They are all used extensively by
students, and the fitness suite has broadened significantly the range of students taking physical
exercise. Possible development of community use is currently under consideration, but is already
used by local badminton clubs on four nights of the week, and by a local cricket club for nets. The
dance studio is also used for evening pilates and aerobics.
Judges Comments:
“ Both buildings are good examples of contemporary design”
“There is a good flow of design around this site, which comes from using the same architect”
“Very impressed with the Sports centre design, this could easily have been just a box”
“The sports centre has great appeal as a stand alone building; it is a landmark in its own right”
“The position of the entrance relative to the approach is well thought out and draws people in”
“The space inside the Learning Centre is great”
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New Buildings
WINNER
St. Peter and St. Paul Church,
Godalming
Designed by Caroe and Partners
Contractor: Buchanans of Send
Nominated by the Godalming Trust
A modest side extension to the church replaces a
previous link with the detached Octagon Hall,
which is used as a community building for both
non-religious and devotional purposes. As the
initial phase in a scheme to upgrade and eventually
replace the Octagon, it embodies a pre-existing
meting room and kitchen and incorporates a new
boiler room for the church at basement level. The
extension has transformed a corridor link into a small suite of multi-user rooms. A broad atrium- like axis with oak trusses gives a dramatic view of
the church spire through its glazed pitched roof. Complementary external features comprise matching stonework, a mullioned window, a metal gate in
an archway and light fittings, Care and quality is also evident in internal details such as the varnished oak doors and Lutyens-type window details.
Godalming Trust
Right: images before the development
The project to refurbish and extend the church was a
complicated but interesting process.
Funding was not available to completely rebuild the church
rooms. This meant that the existing structure had to be, in
essence, retained but completely altered and extended. The
extended building sits directly against Borough Road and is
therefore very visible to the passing public – therefore this
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elevation was made ‘special’ by inserting an oriel window of ashlar stonework. Whilst not directly mimicking any of the various Gothic periods
reflected in the church, this elevation is intended to exude the essence of Gothic by employing the same materials as the church. The extension blends
well, being neither a pastiche or a clone but simply a continuation of the Gothic tradition. Caroe and Partners
Judges Comments:
“This extension is in a prominent location, and works really well in
the street scene”
“It also works well internally, what was a dark and dingy area is
now light and airy”
“Excellent”
“Great quirky details!
“Good workmanship”
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New Buildings
WINNER
Coxbridge Enterprise Centre, Farnham
Architect: Kemp Muir Wealleans
Contractor: Geoffrey Osbourne Ltd.
Nominated by Farnham Society, Waverley Planning Officers and Kemp Muir
Wealleans
This was a former mineral working site.
Site is within the AGLV
Is of ecological importance, for which there is a management and landscape strategy in
place
Aimed at small businesses, the objective of the centre was to provide an innovative and
attractive facility that would be affordable and serve as an easy entry for starter companies.
The design solution for the £2m buildingoffers 23,500 sq ft of floor space, with workspace units
on the ground floor and serviced offices on the first floor.
Given its prominent location at the main approach to the park, the building has been
designed to offer a distinguished entrance that evokes the sense of a modern, good
quality environment. Importantly, this sets the standard for the building design quality
of future development phases.
Sustainability was an important consideration in the design of the building and elements
such as high efficiency boilers, reflective solar shading, porous paving to the car park
area and maintained natural flora to the banks surrounding the site were employed.
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Judges Comments
“It will be interesting to see how this building and the area surrounding ages”
“A good building for the entrance to the site”
“A simple, honest design”
“Good layout and imaginative landscaping”
“Great design concept - and although the landscaping is good, it hides some of
the front elevation, which is the best part!”
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New Buildings
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Grey Lea House, Nightingale Road, Godalming
Designed by Adams Associates
Contractor: Alan Overton
Owners: Andrew and Helen Berry
Nominated by Trevor Adams
Grey Lea House is the replacement of an original1950s
dwelling on the same site. It was found to be more cost
effective and environmentally more valuable to rebuild a
replacement dwelling.
There are varying architectural styles in Nightingale
Road, and so the owners and their architect decided on an
Art Deco style. This became the central reference point
from which the design developed internally and
externally. Although the site is not within a conservation
area, the Council’s Historic buildings officer was
consulted.
Building Style - External Considerations
The general design and proportions of the elevations were greatly influenced by the Art Deco period and in
the spirit of this idea, a considerable amount of care and attention was given to detailing and proportioning,
including parapet features, band courses, fenestration and the rendered external wall finishes. In addition,
individual features were incorporated, such as the decorative, central 'wing' motif to the front elevation and
the curved entrance lobby and door canopies.
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Due to the main garden amenities, including views, being at the rear of the property, a
slightly different approach to that of the front was adopted, which, while continuing in the
spirit of Art Deco, allowed for larger glazed areas, enabling the occupants to enjoy a closer
relationship with the garden and the picturesque views beyond.
Internal Layout and Detailing
Although fundamentally of an
Art Deco style externally, the
interior spaces were designed
primarily to accommodate a 21st
century lifestyle. This approach
was carried through from the
'open plan' style central core of the house in the kitchen/family area and into the building
services themselves, which provide for environmental considerations such as a `rain
harvesting' system which collects rainwater, filters and purifies and then re-circulates back
to the house for w.c.s, washing machine and external taps water use, solar panels to the roof,
and a heat exchange/re-circulation system which utilises the cool and warm air produced in
different parts of the building and creates a balanced temperature at low power use, avoiding the need for mechanical extract, other than a dedicated
cooker hood.
On the ground floor in particular, many internal design details follow the Art Deco theme, including the doors and door handles, the vaulted dining
room ceiling, the kitchen cabinetry and the curved, glass brick wall features.
Upstairs and down, the bathrooms and shower rooms have been designed to evoke the glamorous side of Art Deco, with colourful wall tiling and
simple, yet high quality installations, appearing very much of a past time, yet artfully disguising their 215t century technology.
Judges Comments:
“Like the hard landscaping details that echo the design of the house”
The front is art deco mid thirties while the rear is early 1930s modernist”
“an innovative design – brave and cheeky!”
“the lighting in the upstairs corridor is very good”
“great attention to detail, particularly like the double drops in the dining room ceiling and the staircase”
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New Buildings
COMMENDED
St. Thomas Moor Centre – new teaching block at Barrow Hills School, Witley
Designed by Malcolm Thomas MHB Design Ltd.
Contractor: Surrey Construction Company, Fleet, Hampshire
Nominated by MHB Design Ltd.
The siting of this new classroom block posed a particular challenge. The school campus, located within the Green Belt and AONB contained a derelict
timber barn. This was demolished and replaced with a building of similar size and appearance.
The new building has been carefully detailed s as to be of a high quality; energy efficient, and with a low maintenance requirement; the timber
cladding being heat treated, sustainable softwood, which through the heating process takes on the characteristics of hard wood.
The building contains four classrooms, and IT room, common room and ancillary facilities.
Judges Comments:
“Very interesting elevations”
“Like the composition, the
modern cladding picks up the
vernacular”
“Designed for purpose and a
good solution to need to
provide a barn-like building –
but thought some areas
seemed a bit dark inside”
“Good respect for context”
“Like the glazed section of
the stairways”
“Interesting use of heat
treated timber cladding”
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New Buildings
COMMENDED
Cobble Cottage, Thormcombe Street, Bramley
Designed by Frances and Michael Edwards
Contractors: A. J Tracy and Sons Ltd, Peters Roofing, C. Berwick and Spindlewood Wood Turning.
Nominated by Frances and Michael Edwards
Above: Before
Cobble Cottage is Grade II listed. The brief required
a new kitchen in place of a small playroom, and the
space which formed the present kitchen was turned
into a library. The modern hardwood conservatory
was not in keeping with the house and was to be
replaced.
The design solution was based in the desire to avoid
over extending what was already a long elevation for
the house, and to restrict the extension to avoid
complications of ground levels to the east. Rather
than the simple re-positioning of the end elevation, a
tour de force elevation statement to replace an earlier
extension was decided on, with a substantial chimney to ‘fix’ the house on the slope, appearing as a
traditional inglenook externally and on all floors.
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An enlarged breakfast area was created by adding a single story bay, facing south, having a green oak frame
covered by a copper clad dome, a solution the architects have been developing as the more appropriate
alternative to current trends in garden room design.
The existing loft space was cluttered by ad hoc struts and collars, and original purlins had been fractured. These
were replaced, and the whole area made usable as additional floor space. This also gave the opportunity to
provide an architectural link between the extended loft area and the bedroom extension below, by omitting a flat
ceiling in the bedroom, providing a balcony area.
On the road side of the house, the project was completed with a replacement building to keep timber and wheelie
bin access in the dry. The design features copper again, along with good oak detailing.
Judges Comments:
“Beautiful workmanship”
“Good detailing and quality throughout”
“An innovative approach to an historic building”
“Like the way that the new joins seamlessly with the old”
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New Buildings
COMMENDED
Mallards, Monks Well, Farnham
Designed by Stedman Blower
Contractor: Elsmore Construction
Nominated by Richard B Elsmore
The aim was to replace an existing property with a traditionally built house relating
closely with the site and surrounding area, maximizing local resources and
incorporating innovative design ideas to create a comfortable yet economic
environment for family life.
Local Farnham "Arts and Crafts" style, as popularised by
local architect Harold Faulkner, was chosen to best suit
this heavily wooded, stunning site location - an area of
outstanding natural beauty.
The client was also keen to incorporate the use of
traditional building construction methods, locally sourced
materials and employ the skills of individual craftsmen.
The construction is traditionally brick built and wet
plastered, using locally sourced bricks, green oak beams
and hand made tiles. All joinery is made to order,
incorporating individually designed windows using local timber. Taking into account all the patio doors, there
are in fact seventeen outside doors to the property, each one hand made.
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The hall, fitted with hand made stained glass windows, provides for a dazzling centrepiece - a showpiece for
the joinery skills required to assemble individual hand crafted timber segments into a curved, sweeping
staircase
Inside, the property incorporates a wonderful inglenook
fireplace, under floor heating throughout and several
management systems to control internal environmental
factors. There is also an air management system which
removes stale air from the house, recovering the heat from
it and using it to warm the constant incoming fresh air.
Judges Comments:
“Traditional design at the front, contemporary at the
back”
“Very impressive”
“Like the design features, good detailing”
“A lot of trouble has been taken to get this right”
“Must be wonderful to live in!”
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Conversions, Alterations and Restoration
WINNER
New Entrance Porch and Refurbishment of the South Wing at the Farnham Maltings
Designed by Keith Benyon-Tinker FM Modern Design
Contractor: Strongbond Group
Nominated by the Farnham Society and the Farnham Maltings
The new glass entrance now leads to a welcoming, much brighter, more spacious
lobby with stairs and lift leading to all four levels.
The task was to reflect a more welcoming, accessible and ambitious organization
that was both sympathetic and contemporary. It was important to us that we adopted
the lightest possible touch, acknowledging that the Maltings is an industrial building
and that the difficult task of being both functional and sympathetic must be
managed.
Judges Comments:
“Great design solution: this could easily have been a ‘mean’
entrance to an important community building”
“Very clever design”
“A good focus for the entrance – interesting to hear that it has
resulted in more young people coming to the Maltings”
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The work in the South Wing has created a new exhibition area in the Courtyard Kiln, and a large performance space. The performance area is
stunning, with a new hardwood floor, and featuring the existing high beamed roof. It is sympathetically fitted with performance lighting and sound
facilities and has a flexible tired seaing system, catering for conventional ‘end on’ and ‘in the round’ events, with seating for up to 120. The area is
self contained, with backstage toilet, dressing room and storage facilities.
The total cost of the project was just under £1, 000,000.
This was more than just the adaptation of a building. It has been as much a marketing task. The building is now easier to get into, the glass entrance
invites people in (we now attract significantly more young people), the space reflects a standard we will set ourselves for the rest of the buidlign and
the lift allows more mothers, elderly and wheelchair users to reach everywhere.
Our hope is that the project will provide the momentum and support to continue to improve and adapt the whole Maltings to meet the needs of the
town. We certainly have a more financially robust, confident and capable resource.
Gavin Stride and Peter Greenyer
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Conversions, Alterations and Restoration
WINNER
Bishop Morley Chapel, Farnham Castle, Farnham
Contractor: Campbell Smith and Company
Owners: International Briefing and Conference Centre
Nominated by: Robin Crane: Crane and Associates and Campbell Smith and Company
Project Summary
The project involved the restoration of the Bishop's Chapel, which dates from the late 17th century. The Chapel is barrel vaulted, with timber pews
and panelling, exceptionally fine carved woodwork and mouldings. The Chapel is of National importance. The original finish was varnished timber,
which in time oxidised to a near-black colour. The Chapel was painted in
the early 1960's to lighten the colour scheme and flock wallpaper was
added to cover over split timber panels.
Prior to starting the works, the project required thorough and extensive
research into the existing materials and finishes, the causes of the
cracking and splitting, and the correct specification of remedial works,
repairs and refinishing. The research dated back to the early 1990's, when
the Church Commissioners as freeholders of the Castle commissioned a
report into the condition of the Chapel and recommended rectification
measures. It became apparent that heating introduced into the Chapel had
caused considerable cracking and splitting of the timberwork. Some
preliminary restoration was undertaken on some of the carved timber in 1991, carefully removing the paintwork to
reveal the original varnished timber. It was decided that this approach, although painstaking, could still damage the
carving, and it was agreed that overpainting in an appropriate colour and finish was the only practical option.
In 2005 the occupiers of the Castle, the International Briefing and Conference Centre, decided to undertake the restoration as part of their long term
rolling programme of repairs, restoration and improvements to the Castle. A new humidity-controlled heating system was installed prior to the
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restoration to control the excessive amount of humidity-induced seasonal fluctuations in moisture content of the timber. This in turn required extensive
works to the rooms below the Chapel, to form access for the heating pipework. Campbell Smith were appointed to undertake the restoration works and
completed the project in late2005. The final element of the works comprised the making-good to the ceiling beneath the Chapel, which was completed
as part of a further project undertaken in 2006 to convert the 'dungeons'.
Project Merits
The merits of the restoration can be summarised
as follows:
• The existing carvings and timberwork
are of exceptional quality and required a
sympathetic and skilled contractor to
undertake the restoration.
• The project required considerable preplanning and enabling works to control
the heating and humidity within the
Chapel, to counteract the seasonal
fluctuations in the moisture content of
the timberwork, and thereby reduce
cracking and splitting.
• The project required extensive research
to establish the correct specification for the works, for agreement with Waverley Borough Council and
English Heritage before commencement of the works.
Judges Comments:
“An outstanding conservation project”
“There must have been a great deal of research into this project, resulting in a scheme of great quality”
“Great sensitivity in approach”
“Painstaking work”
“Superb workmanship”
“A smashing project!”
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Conversions, Alterations and Restoration
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Renovations and Alterations to provide four houses at 1and 2 Sandford Lodge and 1 and 2 the
Coach House, West Street, Farnham.
Designed by Macallan Penfold
Contractor: Elsmore Construction
Nominated by Elsmore Construction
The Coach House:
before and after
Sandford Lodge and the Coach House form a courtyard of
mews style houses near Farnham town centre, within the
conservation area. Sandford Lodge is Georgian, and has
been used as business premises. The renovated building
now provides two 2 bedroomed houses retaining many
original features and incorporating reclaimed materials,
including sash windows to allow maximum light. Both are
Grade II listed buildings.
The Victorian Coach House, more recently used as a workshop and
storage area has been converted by creating a second floor, while
maintaining existing features and showing off original beams and
brickwork. Where it has not been possible to restore, character
features, such as the leaded light back door, have been copied. The
unorthodox roof presentation of clay peg tiles with lead hips has been retained although the entire roof has been
replaced, after fitting insulation, reusing the original tiles. Care has been taken to accommodate modern requirements
without destroying the character of the buildings and their setting.
Outside, the courtyard retains ironstone cobbles while providing off-road parking for residents. To allow installation
of services, this needed to be lifted and carefully re-laid.
Sandford Lodge
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Judges Comments:
“A sensitive approach – little apparent change, which is good in a
conservation area setting”
“A sympathetic development”
“A very good example of a town centre scheme and the sensitive renovation of
listed buildings”
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Conversions, Alterations and Restoration
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Prezzo, Queen Street, Godalming
Designed by Janet Horton Designs
Contractor: G.S. Interiors, Gravesend
Nominated by Godalming Trust
The transformation of this historic building to a restaurant has saved a unique part of
Godalming's heritage from demolition. Originally opened at Christmas 1898 as the
multipurpose Victoria Hall, it became the Victoria Motor Works in 1907 where a touring
car The Victoria was built. Last used as auction rooms, its spacious interior rises to a
pitched roof surmounted by a long glazed lantern light and supported on 16 ornate iron roof trusses.
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Externally, the building is characterized by handmade red bricks, still retaining the painted device `Garage', and by dormers and dentil brick eaves
cornices.
Wherever possible, Prezzo Plc seek to restore buildings of local interest, and
Godalming Prezzo shows considerable design flair in combining the features of a
modern restaurant with traditional features of the building. The existing wide
entrances with their original doors have been enhanced with fully glazed recessed
lobbies. Internally, the fitting out achieves a welcoming sophisticated atmosphere
through the subdivision of the space, the pine boarding of the roof and the use of
warm materials such as walnut fittings and brown ceramic floor tiles. Splendid use
has been made of mirrors and lighting, including a novel variation on traditional
chandeliers. Altogether an impressive makeover that brings the building new life as a
venue for a good meal out! Godalming Trust.
Judges Comments:
“Mainly cosmetic changes, but it works really well”
“This scheme has been done extremely well”
“A very good new use for this building”
“Shame about the blue roof netting!”
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Conversions, Alterations and Restoration
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Zizzi, Castle Street, Farnham
Designed by Janet Horton Designs
Contractor:
Nominated by the Farnham Society
My aim was to return the building to its original proportions
worthy of its design heritage as the former Redgrave
Theatre, in a contemporary manner. The site had fallen into
a poor state of repair. The approach from the street was very
tatty and the entrance ill defined. I re-paved the passage way created a landscaped patio and addressed the problem of the refuse. The front elevation
was opened linking the internal and external spaces and drawing light into the interior. The staircase removed and re-positioned, exposing a beautiful
brick and timber wall returning the double height barn like space.
The building was a collection of different structures and the challenge was to link these
together. The single story roof to the rear section was removed and replaced with a
sloping glass roof that joined the ground and first floor levels, flooding the interior
with light. The walls to the upper floor were removed creating a mezzanine level to the
first floor and finishes were stripped off exposing the raw structure. In contrast new
finishes added were contemporary in their inspiration. Janet Horton
Judges Comments:
“A great improvement both externally and internally for this town centre building”
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Zizzi ‘before’
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Sustainable Design and Construction
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Grey Lea House, Godalming
Normally in new build it is the sustainable elements that are chopped from the
build first, when costs escalate, with the solar being first victim. We had to work
very hard - and are now working especially hard, to have kept in place the
intention of our project. Andrew and Helen Berry
Construction
House construction using reclaimed power station ash blocks - Celcon - highly
insulative in their own right (www.hhcelcon.co.uk). This is in addition to the celotex cavity insulation. The roof is insulated with very high tech 8
layer silver-foil like cloth called Trioso. This enables above normal insulation levels in a very thin layer.
Ventilation
All new builds require ventilation no matter how high tech. This is often done with trickle vents in the windows. These negate any benefits from the
high tech insulation available today. We have used a mechanical heat and ventilation system that enables us to extract up to 70% of the heat from
the warm "wet air" removed from the kitchen and bathrooms etc. The whole house is ventilated with fresh air warmed by this heat.
www.nuaireforhomes.co.uk
Rainwater Harvesting
All rainwater from the house and garage is filtered and stored in a 4000ltr tank buried in the garden. A pump then pumps this up on demand to the
house. The water is used for the washing machine, all the toilets and selected taps for plants and the garden. www.rainharvesting.co.uk
Solar Water Heating
An oversized 350ltr cylinder was installed, so that at all times the solar panel would extract heat from the sun and add it to the cylinder. In winter
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perhaps just adding 10c to the water temp - but that's 10c the boiler does not have
to provide. From about April to Oct the boiler is hardly
used. We have water sitting at 45 to 50c every day the last few months with no
boiler use. www.sunpowered.co.uk
Boiler
When you do need the boiler we have one of the most efficient condensing boilers
on the market.
www.vaillent.co.uk
House heating
This uses water skirting heating throughout. Not really eco, but certainly more
efficient than radiators and more flexible than under floor as you do not need to
leave it on all the time. www.heatprofile.co.uk
For days when just a little heat is required we use a wood burning stove. This
carbon friendly heating burns wood so completely there is barely any ash so has
very high efficiency. www.focusstoves.co.uk
Lighting
Planning permission requires a percentage of lights to be eco friendly or low
wattage. In our house this amounted to just four lamps! Over half of the lighting
we used is either cold cathode (like fluorescent tubes) or LED. One planning eco
light uses 15watts, not bad, but our entire family room of LEDs uses 15watts,
that's 0.5watts per lamp!
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Sustainable Design and Construction
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Mallards, Farnham
Mallards incorporates under floor heating throughout and several management systems to control internal environmental factors. Nineteen thermostats
around the house control the heating and ensure contact temperatures. There is also an air management system, which removes stale air from the
house, recovering the heat from it and using it to warm the constant incoming fresh air. The house is fully wired with Cat 5 cabling in every room
together with a central vacuum cleaning system and sockets throughout.
A high tech lighting control system allows ambient light settings for each room and many of the rooms have electric curtains and blinds on timers
which automatically close at dusk.
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Sustainable Design and Construction
COMMENDED
Witley C of E Infants School, Church Lane, Witley
Architect: Pelling Ltd. Bromley
Client: Surrey County Council
The project to create a new classroom and mezzanine at Witley C of E Infants School presented a number of significant challenges:
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To resolve inadequate entrance arrangement which required access via external steps.
To replace existing teaching accommodation which was beyond the end of its economic life.
To create a fully 'connected' facility which was integral to the original building, and which avoided
the need to go outside to access it.
To provide an economic solution which generally addressed the steeply sloping topography of the site.
To design an interesting visual solution, which did not simply draw upon the traditional detailing of the existing building, but was a
sympathetic and sensitive reaction to beautiful surroundings.
To provide the School with a building they could be proud of, and which had as little impact as possible on the environment.
To procure the project whilst, above all, ensuring the health and safety of pupils, teachers and parents during a construction process undertaken
with the school in occupation.
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We believe this project has been an enormous success with each of these challenges having been successfully met, which is also a testament to the
'team-working' approach adopted by the School, the Client and the Architects.
We believe it is a truly sustainable solution, delivered on budget and to programme, which has significantly improved the learning environment of
current pupils and will continue to do so for local children in the future.
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Special Community Award
Conversion of barn and remodelling of Hambledon Village Shop, Cricket Green, Hambledon
Architect: (Barn) Neil Caie (Shop) Leon West
Contractor: Richard Appleby
Owners: Hambledon Village Trust
Nominated by John Anderson: Chairman of Hambledon Parish Council
Background
The Village community shop has been created from a dilapidated barn. The entire village and in
particular the Hambledon Village Trust has worked to raise the substantial funding that was
required.
Following the creation of the shop,
further work has taken place to
remodel it. Much more efficient use of space has enabled the shop trading area, post
office and tea room to provide a social hub for the community. All of this, together
with internet shopping and the creation of space for a computer hub, adds up to a very
21st example of what a village shop should be. The alterations have also enabled the
shop and post office to comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination
Act, allowing it to move forward and should enable it to retain its post office.
Judges Comments:
“Given the importance of village shops to rural communities, this deserves an
award for great effort and enthusiasm”
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Special Community Award
Godalming Old Bandstand, Philips Memorial Park, Godalming
Designed by Mike Poulter
Contractor: Mike Poulter
Nominated by the Godalming Trust
The riparian Phillips Memorial Park - which includes
the Phillips Memorial Cloister near Bridge Road commemorates Godalming's own Jack Phillips, the
heroic wireless operator on the ill-fated Titanic. From
1913 to 2005, the park incorporated a minimal
bandstand plinth, some 18 inches (0.5 metres) high
only, in an octagonal shape to match the form of the
goldfish pool in the Memorial Cloister building.
In 2005, The GO Godalming Association, supported
by the Godalming Woolsack Rotary Club and the
Rotary Club of Godalming, successfully promoted the redesign and enlargement of the bandstand. The
octagonal shape has been extended out and raised in height with steps up and decorative railings. A facing
of local Bargate stone to the vertical surrounds and a paved floor incorporating the emblem of Rotary
international completes the initial phase of a quality structure. The new bandstand not only enhances the
park but is already a valued facility. Over the 2006 Summer season, many different bands have played
here, to audiences sometimes reaching 500 people.
The GO Godalming Association intend to (literally) build on their fine achievement by adding a bandstand
roof, for which donations are being sought.
Judges Comments:“A great project for the community by the community!”
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Contractors Awards
WINNERS
AJ Tracy and Sons of Elstead, Peters Roofing of Croydon and Spindlewood Wood Turning of
Bridgewater for
Cobble Cottage, Thorncombe Street, Bramley
Designed by Frances and Michael Edwards
Contractors:
Nominated by Frances and Michael Edwards
AJ Tracy and Sons of Elstead, with Peters Roofing of Croydon have worked consistently on site together
on this project and we are pleased to nominate them as being of a higher calibre than we would have expected
from normal quality levels; AJ Tracy and Son's Bargate stone and brick/tile masonry work and their joinery
work were excellent throughout; Peters’ Roofing provided the exacting skills to meet our dome requirements.
Finally we rely regularly on turned oak suppliers who are able to transform our precise templates into the most
admirable column details for our builders to use. We regularly nominate the firm Spindlewood Wood
Turning of Bridgewater www.spindlewoodturning.co.uk as a reliable source of extraordinary quality turned
timber-work and we would like to nominate them jointly with the firms above as part of the successful
partnership at Cobble Cottage.
Judges Comments:
“Beautiful workmanship”
“Good detailing and quality throughout”
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Contractors Awards
WINNERS
Woodley Lucas for Amberley Farm, Milford
Client: Anthony Baker
Architects: Nye Saunders
This scheme involved the refurbishment and conversion of Amberley Farm Barn, which is a fine example of a Grade II listed 18th century Sussex
Barn, set in a courtyard forming a group of other important buildings which until 1942 belonged to the Peperharow estate.
Originally constructed as a threshing barn, a stable was added to one end in the early 1800s, with hay storage above, and in the late 1800s a lean-to
was added for wintering cattle. Until 1972 Amberley Farm was a dairy farm, from when it was run on as a beef enterprise until the new A3 segregated
most of the farmland from the buildings.
The barn was in very poor condition and urgently in need of full refurbishment in order ot prevent any collapse of the structure which would have
been catastrophic for the building and its historic setting.
The decline in farming made it financially impossible to restore the barn to its original condition and use, so permission was given for sympathetic
conversion to suit an office environment. This was supported by a grant from SEEDA.
Particular attention was given to
• Minimising the amount of disturbance to the existing oak frame structure
• Carefully replacing rotten and decayed timber with new 3 year air dried oak using traditional joinery methods
• Maintaining the character of the roof timbers in their existing distorted configuration
• Designing the new structure to minimise the effect on the historic features, achieved by under floor detailing, axiom open plan areas, two
honest but unobtrusive mezzanine floors with spiral staircase access, minimal toilet areas and bold high level lighting
• Keeping the structure intact and undisturbed wherever possible
• Carefully sandblasting the frame prior to commencement of works to allow for identification of weak areas.
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•
Minimising the number of new window and door openings to avoid giving the barn a residential look. Naturally oiled Iroko wood was used for
the frames and this contrasts well with the stained weatherboard cladding.
Judges Comments:
“A really good use for this building”
“Extremely high quality of workmanship”
“Good to see traditional methods used in this way”
“ Like to see the traditional buildings used in a modern way”
“A great, high quality conversion”
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Schools Practical Projects
WINNER
Vegetable Allotment Garden and Rainbow Garden at Busbridge
Infant School
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Our project actually involves two gardens. We were very fortunate in that we managed to raise enough funding
to complete both of our garden project last year: our Vegetable Allotment Garden and our Rainbow Garden.
The Rainbow Garden: this project was to design and build a garden inspired by the story of Noah's Ark. It was a
project by Swallows Class.
The Vegetable Allotment Garden: this project was to design and build a vegetable and fruit allotment with a
greenhouse that could extend the work of the School Gardening
Club.
Our work on these gardens took place between February and June
2006. In July 2006, the School won the Godalming in Bloom
shield for these gardens.
THE DESIGN PROCESS: THE RAINBOW GARDEN
The garden was designed by Swallows Class, a mixed Year 1 and
2 class. The idea was that the garden would be a haven of tranquillity in the hustle and bustle of the
playground. We started the design process by telling the children in assembly the story of Noah's Ark;
this story was the inspiration for a garden. Having reflected upon the meaning of this story, we talked
about the purpose of the garden we were going to design. The children then looked at the area where we
will build the garden and then drew their designs on paper. The children then took their designs and recreated them using ICT.
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We used the story of Noah's Ark was chosen as the inspiration for three reasons.
• Firstly, the story of the flood can be found across all cultures. The stories of the Old Testament act as religious texts for Christianity, Judaism
and Islam. This story, therefore, gave the garden a multi faith aspect.
• Secondly, the story of Noah's Ark is a familiar story to the children and has a simple symbol "the rainbow" to act as the design inspiration.
• Finally, the lesson of the story tied in with the purpose of the garden. At the end of the Noah's Ark story, God promises Noah that he will never
destroy all the living things again by flood. The rainbow is the symbol of God's promise of protection. We have designed this garden to be a
safe haven: the back curtain of posts acts to give the sense of protection and security; like someone having their arm around you. This is the
garden to sit quietly and think in, and to feel safe and protected.
In Art, the children also chose words and designed images that we then painted on to large pebbles to decorate the rainbow garden. For example,
images of butterflies and ladybirds and words such as `love' and `God.'
THE VEGETABLE ALLOTMENT GARDEN
This garden was designed by Mrs Flew, a parent, and the School Gardening Club. The design for the garden had to fit in with the existing willow
structure and with the design of the Rainbow Garden. The new vegetable garden replaced the existing strip of chequerboard garden which gardening
club used.
FUNDING
The gardens were funded by the following grants and awards:
•
•
•
•
Awards for All gave us a grant of £5,000.
BT Speaking and Listening Award of £2,000
Surrey Gardens Trust, a Highly Commended Award of £350 for the children's design
project for the Rainbow Garden.
S C Johnson Charitable Trust gave a grant of £576.
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THE HARD WORK
The work was carried out on both gardens at the same time by parents, children and staff. All of the
planting was carried out by the children: the Allotment Vegetable Garden was planted by Gardening
Club and The Rainbow Garden was planted by Swallows Class.
THE RAINBOW GARDEN
•
•
•
The children enjoyed carrying out this exciting project in which they got to design and then
create a real garden.
It has provided a quiet contemplative garden for children to sit in.
It has also provided a quiet space for teachers and helpers to sit with readers. - It has been
beneficial in helping Reception children to identify colour. - It provides a colourful
welcome at the reception of the school.
THE VEGETABLE ALLOTMENT GARDEN
•
•
•
•
•
•
The children have benefited from learning how to plant and grow fruit and vegetables. In
fact, the sweet corn grown was so amazingly vigorous in its rapid growth that some parents joke that we must have planted GM crops!
The project involved whole families on the Saturday working parties. Parents have also become involved in helping at gardening club.
It has developed the work of gardening club. The provision of the greenhouse has extended the growing season.
The garden has also been used for many different areas of the curriculum; for example in maths, the garden has been used for measuring
and for directions.
It is also created a space for imagining play.
The also developed the entrepreneurial skills of the children. The children have sold vegetables after school, and one child collected and
sold sunflower seeds.
Judges Comments:
“Very well laid out right next to the main school buildings”
“Can be enjoyed by everyone all through the day, without having to be gated”
“Great use of colours, textures and plants”
“ Lots of involvement from the children – completely hands on”
“ A lovely lot of different types of garden spaces at this school, all well designed and maintained”
“A great learning facility”
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Schools Practical Projects
HIGHLY COMMENDED
St. Edmund’s Catholic Primary School
Playground Project
Project Description
Following completion of a major building project in Autumn 2004, this Playground Project was instigated in March
2005 to meet a number of issues that had arisen as a result of the disruption which was caused to the outdoor
environment. These included:
• A reduction in PE space.
• An increase in poor behaviour at break times.
• The amount of unused space in the outdoor environment looking unsightly and giving a poor impression of the
school.
The project resulted in a redesign of the entire outdoor space of the school involving the children, Headteacher, teachers,
governors and the caretaker. This huge project was completed to budget within 18 months of its inception to the delight
of everyone. The new playground consists of:
• A sports area for the older children including football, netball, basketball, skipping and stilt walking.
• A quiet, wooded area for the older children to sit, talk and read.
• A puzzle area including a stage, chalkboards, chess, connect 4 and giant Jenga.
• A play area for the younger children.
• A decked outdoor area for outdoor lessons.
• A wildlife "bog" garden.
• An activity trail for the younger children.
• A seaside garden with flowers and plants.
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Involvement of the Children
• The children undertook an initial survey of ideas and wishes for the new playground. Many were
included, although some such as an ice hockey pitch and fountains spraying pink lemonade were
reluctantly rejected.
• The school council designed the puzzle area and raised funds for it.
• The children and their parents planted the wildlife garden.
• The children maintain the playground toys through the creation of games captains and puzzle area
monitors.
• The Gardening Club maintains the seaside garden and other areas of the school grounds.
Benefits
•
•
An improvement in children's enjoyment of the outside environment through well maintained, appropriate
equipment.
Improved teaching and learning of PE in the playground due to having the space to teach new subjects;
e.g. tennis, basketball.
• An improved level of behaviour at playtimes.
• An improved sense of responsibility and ownership from the children.
• A more attractive environment for current children to enjoy and
prospective parents to se e.
• The grounds now cater for the interests of all children by having zones
for sports, peace and quiet, puzzles and drama, as well as outdoor
teaching space.
The Future
•
The school has just created an Eco Committee to drive the school towards Eco School status. Should a prize be
received from the Waverley Design Awards this would be used by the committee to further environmental projects within the school.
Judges Comments:
“Good use has been made of every square millimetre of the school grounds”
“A great range of spaces and activities for all ages”
“Love the innovative use of the old wellies!!”
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Schools Practical Projects
COMMENDED
Sensory Garden at Bramley C of E Aided Infants School
Nominated by: Angela Champness
This area was created after the relocation of a car park and demolition of an old
dilapidated youth building.
A sensory garden has been created from the children’s ideas, following a trip to
Wisley, and presented to a landscape designer, who then drew a formal plan, which
was approved by the children. They, with parents and governors undertook the
planting of the garden, and the garden club maintains the area, with support of parents
and governors.
The garden has enhanced the school grounds, the children are made more aware of the
environment, and the garden is used as an outdoor classroom.
Judges Comments:
“A nice range of plants have been used”
“A good space for the children, well laid out”
“Will be good to see it as it matures”
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Special Educational Award
Rodborough School, Milford - The Health and Beauty Salon
Background
We have been offering vocational courses at our school for many years now. Originally we offered agricultural studies – making use of the school
site. As time went on we widened the opportunities to include car mechanics – we had a visiting car mechanic come to the school and set up his
workshop under an awning.
However, we struggled to find meaningful options for our vocational pathway girls. We ran jewellery making and many of the girls attended courses
at Godalming and Guildford colleges but we had nothing to offer them on site.
Abut 4 years ago we were approached by a company offering the chance to run vocational beauty courses in the school. We jumped at the chance and
started to offer taster courses to prepare students for working in the beauty salon industry. We used various classrooms but the environment was never
truly that professional.
A year and a half ago the federation of Waverley schools invested some money in our site to build a purpose designed beauty teaching facility. We
collaborated with the course tutors on what was needed design wise and built the facility as an extension to the sting food tech bock.
The brief behind the build was to create a space, which resembled as closely as we could manage a professional
working environment.
This has been achieved. There is a reception area, hair sinks and a full range of beauty equipment – from beds to
sliding trays and stools. The students now have to wear professional outfits to attend the courses and we now
take students from all 4 secondary schools in the Waverley federation here at Rodborough. These include
Broadwater School, Glebelands and Woolmer Hill.
In this short timescale we have lifted the profile of these courses considerably. We have created a professional
feeling salon space with a separate entrance to the rest of the school. Students now feel that they have a reason to
attend our curses in school time dressed properly for the workplace. Achieving this in a modern school environment has really paid dividends in terms
of the status of vocational courses and the self-esteem of all those – students and tutors – involved in the programme.
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David Ewing
Vocational education
Rodborough school
Judges Comments:
The judges felt that this did not really fit comfortably into the practical projects category, which is
all about environmental enhancement of the school grounds, but it is such a good scheme that
they wanted to acknowledge it and give encouragement to those involved.
“This is a great idea”
“A really innovative idea, which will have long term benefits for all those involved”
“Another really great project from Rodborough!”
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Schools’ Art Projects
WINNER
Tile Wall at Loseley Fields Primary School, Green Lane, Godalming
The tile wall was made at the request of the Governors of the school, to create a permanent feature which
would enhance the school environment and celebrate the opening of the new school. It is situated at the front
of the school so that it can be enjoyed by everyone passing along the lane.
The theme for the panel is ‘Loseley’, which strengthens the links with Loseley House for which
the school is named.
The whole school visited Loseley House and grounds and made drawings of architectural features
there. The visit inspired ceramic work and everyone in the school made a tile (363 in total),
including children, governors, teachers, kitchen staff and cleaners. The age range of the makers of
the panel is from 4 years to 80+!
The tile wall gets a lot of attention from staff,
children and visitors and is felt to be a true
refection of the school motto “achieving together”.
Judges Comments:
“ Very good and well organised”
“Great colours”
“A brilliant way to enhance a plain, prominent wall”
“A good welcome to the school, and can be seen and enjoyed from the road too”
“A great way for the children to enjoy art, and appreciate architecture and history”
“A really innovative way of linking the identity of the school with Loseley House”
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Schools’ Art Projects
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Four Art projects at Hale School, Farnham
Nominated by June Trantom, Headteacher
The school environment has been enhanced by following projects:
1. Fired Tiles
2. Caring and Sharing – mosaic
3. Three Leaps through Education
4. Three Mosaic panels
Projects 1 and 2 were funded by a successful bid from 'South Street Trust"
Project 1 : Fired Tiles (above)
(Funded by a successful bid from `South Street Trust')
Our aim, assisted by local potter Julian Belmonte, was to create a permanent wall display for our School Museum involving pupils aged 8 -9 from
Year 4 (90 in total). The work was inspired by the pupils studying the history of Hale village, as well as having first hand experience with local
walks and making initial sketches. The work is displayed in the Junior playground.
Project 2: Caring and Sharing – Mosaic
(Funded by a successful bid from `South Street Trust')
The purpose of this project was to underpin the children in Years 1 and 2 (ages 5-7) understanding of Personal,
Social and Health Education (PSHE). This involved creating an outdoor mosaic, lead by local artist Mrs. Lindsey
Southworth. The work
Is now a permanent feature in our Infant Playground
Projects 3 and 4 were created in the Art Club which meets every Monday lunchtime and
After school. The Art Club is free to all pupils and its aim is to encourage and inspire
pupils using a variety of artistic mediums.
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Project 3 : Three Leaps through Education
This piece of artwork was created by The Big Picture Project and was completed on three
canvasses with the full involvement of around 20 children aged 7-11. The artwork took
shape, over a period of 8 weeks, using acrylics and other materials on a canvas base. The
completed canvasses are now hanging in the school reception
Project 4 : Three Mosaic Panels
This project involved the creation of an insect scene, using
glass mosaic tiles, split over three separate wood based panels.
The work took 6 weeks to create and involved the creative
talents of 20 Keystage 1 and 2 children aged 5-11. The insect
scene is now on permanent display in our Junior Playground.
We feel that the children should be recognized for their hard
work, imagination and education to enhancing their school
environment not only for themselves, but for the community as
whole.
a
Judges Comments:
“Some great pieces of artwork all around the School, very expertly done”
“Particularly like the fired tile projects, which show a good appreciation of the built environment in Hale”
“ Good to hear from the children about the various pieces of art and the techniques involved”
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Schools’ Art Projects
COMMENDED
St. Polycarp’s Primary School, Farnham
The school has entered a number of large scale art
projects.
Reception aged 4 – 5
Working with artist Ruth Wheeler, the children
helped to prepare large toadstools as a seating ring
to enhance their area around their demountable
classroom.
Aged 6- 11
Working with Ruth Wheeler, the children designed,
carved and painted mini- beast seating stool for the
infants playground, and a totem pole to enhance the
environment.(right)
The children have also made a large mosaic of their school logo (above left) which is proudly
displayed at the front entrance to the school.
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Reception planned, designed and made a lively mosaic to enhance their immediate environment.
Judges Comments:
“Lots of different colourful pieces of artwork around the school”
“Enjoyed the enthusiasm of the children who showed us the different projects (including a lively
debate about which toadstool was the most comfortable to sit on!) and were clearly very pleased
with them!”
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Schools’ Art Projects
COMMENDED
Children of the World and the Golden Tapestry by Bramley C of E Aided Infants School
In the last 15 months the children have created two sewn
collages.
The Children of the World (left) was made for Holy Trinity
Church, Bramley, and hangs in the newly refurbished
children’s chapel. Each child completed one of the figures,
and the tapestry highlights the wonderful diversity of the
children from all parts of the globe in a bright and vivid
way, incorporating those children with specific challenges.
It also depicts the importance of friendship and a view of
equality.
The Golden Tapestry was designed to celebrate the Queen’s
50 years as head of the Commonwealth. Schools in every
Commonwealth country were invited to contribute a story
that would cover a year in the life of the Commonwealth.
700 schools have signed up in 45 different countries and
major exhibitions are planned.
Children at Bramley designed their Golden tapestry to show the village during August. They designed an made it themselves and includes many local
features including the school and the church, a farmer, the A281 and an ice cream van!
The tapestry was sent away in September and the school is waiting to hear where in the Commonwealth it will be displayed.
Judges Comments:
“It was a shame that we couldn’t see these tapestries, but an honour for the children that they are to be displayed in other parts of the world!”
“We have seen several sewing projects from Bramley Infants, they are always beautifully made and have a lot of charm and colour”
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Schools’ Art Projects
COMMENDED
Matisse Willow Sculptures at Busbridge (C of E) Aided Junior School
In April 2006, our School had the exciting opportunity to work with a
sculptor-in-residence. Flora Gare, a local artist, who works with living willow
came into our School for two days. During this time, she worked with children
from all year groups. Many parents were also keen to come in order to help
and to learn a new skill. We are keen, in future years, to add to this collection
of figures and maybe add some animals.
Funding for this residency was gained by a £200 grant from Surrey Arts
and also from our £250 first prize for our Pond Project from the
Waverley Design Awards 2005.
Our living willow sculpture had achieved several aims:
• It tied in with the art curriculum: Year 5 study Matisse.
• We created a beautiful sculptural object will act as an impetus
to develop the pond area further with different works of art.
The children developed new artistic skills, and some
particularly enthused about working with this 30 medium.
Judges Comments:
“Really unusual”
“Good experience for the children to work on something different with living willow”
“Will be interesting to see if these figures actually grow taller as well as bushier!”
“The figures have lots of movement in them”
“Good to hear about the school trip to the willow farm, the children seemed to have really enjoyed it”
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Academic School Projects
WINNER
Busbridge Infants School – Castle Project
Nominated by Sarah Flew: School Project Manager
The Castle Project was carried out by a small group of Year 1 children (aged 5 and 6) in July 2006; the children were specially chosen from across
three classes and worked with a member of staff to develop a plan for the School grounds. The aim of the project was to see what THE CHILDREN
would like in the School grounds. A group of Year I children were chosen because they would still be at the School when the actual physical work
started on the results of their project.
Through a voting process, the children decided that they wanted a brick castle most of all, and this is why the scrapbook is called `The Castle Project.'
Since carrying this project, the children have made two presentations of this project:
- To Peter Martin, our local County Councillor. He has donated £400 towards this project.
- To the School PTA. They have donated £250 towards this project.
Work will hopefully start on this project this term
If the children won a book token for this project, it would be spent on a book about castles. Sarah Flew
Judges Comments:
“Lovely to have an academic project from this young age group”
“Clearly all their own work and thoughts”
“Really well presented – we look forward to seeing the castle when it is completed!”
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Academic School Projects
WINNER
Sarah Argyle: Rodborough School
Eashing Quarry
Sarah’s hypothesis was that “the proposed quarry at Eashing Farm, Hurtmore, should not be allowed to proceed due to the huge environmental
problems it would cause.”
This project covered everything that it should have done, and showed a well reasoned and mature conclusion. She used clear graphics, and displayed a
good knowledge of geographical theory, referring to various relevant documents, such as the Surrey Minerals Plan.
Her methodology was insightful, appropriate and concise. There were some good interviews with local residents and businesses such as The Squirrel
pub. Good use was also made of local newspaper articles and the way these were annotated.
What was also good was her use of comparable or contrasting situations, such as the old site at Pitch Hill Ewhurst and also an interesting comparison
with the excavation work at the Hindhead Tunnel on the A3.
The conclusions were great, and acknowledged that there is more than one strong side to this particular argument, need versus environmental issues.
She also acknowledged that there were mitigation plans to be implemented. It could be seen that a great deal of work had gone into the project and a
lot had been learned from it.
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Academic School Projects
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Michael Dann: Rodborough School
Special Protection Areas in South East England was the subject of Michael’s project. Not one for the faint hearted, and a complicated issue for those
more closely involved!
His hypothesis was that “the Special Protections Areas (SPAs) in the South East of England are of an unnecessary size and are restricting
housing development in Farnham unnecessarily.”
Michael chose to focus on the Thames Valley Basin Heaths SPA. His reasons for choosing the subject were clear and concise, with an excellent
explanation of what the SPAs are. He made a good point about the amount of aircraft which fly over this area, and the military uses made of it, and the
potential effects of this on the protected species in addition to those just walking the area. He doesn’t however, actually say what the protected species
are (ground nesting birds requiring this heathland habitat) and why they are particularly affected by visiting walkers or those living nearby with cats or
dogs. A map showing the actual area of the SPA as it affects Farnham would also have been useful.
He makes some very good reasoned statements about how those questioned might respond, depending on their situation in the housing market, i.e
those not able to buy houses would not perhaps be so concerned with the protection of species. He also made good use of the data from English
Nature.
His conclusions were thorough, and that he somewhat reluctantly, although correctly surmised that thisissue is just too complicated to be solved
easily. He does make some educated suggestions as to how this can be solved rather than putting the whole issue into the ‘too difficult’ box as some
might have done! His evaluation was clear and honest and showed how he could have gone about this in another way, with hindsight. He did find it
difficult to gather information, but did not come to Waverley for any of it! We would have been able to provide further information, but perhaps also
another point of view, which would have been relevant to the question of house building.
A very good project on a very difficult subject!
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