The best of building design has been honoured in Ilkley.

Last year the civic society reintroduced its annual Design Awards last year with presentations to Bettys, Booths and Lishmans the butcher.

For this year it was proposed to limit the awards to one property but after receiving a large number of deserving nominations it was decided to introduce two categories, one for a new building and one for a conversion or renovation.

For the new build, the award will go to Woods Mews, 87 Little Lane, which is an attractive development of five town house on a former builder's yard, designed by Mark Wogden, Architects, of Leeds Road, Ilkley.

It was constructed by Croft Building Limited, also of Ilkley, and the civic society citation says that the natural stone has a sensitive quality design that has been enhanced by the excellent building work.

For the conversion award civic society members have chosen The Barn Centre, which is behind the Winter Gardens on Station Road.

This semi-derelict building was bought by the Upstagers theatre group and comprehensively refurbished and extended to form a multi-purpose arts facility, providing rehearsal and meeting rooms, costume storage and a scenery workshop.

Funding was largely provided by the National Lottery and the Sports and Arts Foundation. The work was undertaken by builders Tottys and overseen by William Saunders Partnership, whose senior partner Rob Tinsley is an Ilkley resident.

The Awards will be made today at the annual general meeting of the civic society.

Pictured above right at Wood Mews are, right to left, Philip Croft of Croft Builders, archetect Mark Wogden and Bob Tilley, chairman of Ilkley Civic Society. (17-20-AH)

Pictured right at the Barn Centre are, left to right, Bob Tilley, William Eddison, chairman of the Upstagers Theatre Charity, Robert Tinsley, partner at William Saunders Partnership.

(17-18-AH)

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.