Civic Society Awards announced

Hertford Civic Society has revealed the winners of this year's Architectural Awards.

BEAM Hertford and Lea Wharf were both chosen as outstanding buildings due to their positive visual impact on the town.

The two buildings were selected from a shortlist of seven, which were:

• Lea Wharf 
• Blakemore Manor housing estate
• Granary and Chapel housing development
• BEAM/Hertford Theatre
• Hartham Leisure Centre
• Scott House, Hagsdell Road
• Margaux’s, Market Street

The judging panel was hugely impressed by the visual quality of the majority of the shortlisted buildings. 
 
The Panel also acknowledged the attractiveness of the major expansion of Hartham Leisure Centre, noting that the interesting design of the new extension helped improve the appearance of the pre-existing building. The panel felt that the new building related well with Hartham Common. 

The Panel felt that the other two housing developments each had some very positive features.  Blakemore Manor managed to give its 250+ houses a reasonably spacious setting without parked cars becoming over-obtrusive. The sculpture of a an osprey was appealing, as was the central green space, with its hint of a village green.

The Granary and Chapel housing development in Tamworth Road was noted for the "interesting statement" made by terrace at the rear of the site, parallel with the railway line. Also notable was the way the houses along the street front fitted well with their neighbours further along Tamworth Road.

Every few years, Hertford Civic Society reviews the major new buildings or renovations in Hertford. The winning site gets a plaque for public display. Other high-quality developments receive certificates of commendation. For instance, the Shire Hall renovation was awarded a plaque in 1991 for works which took the building back to the kind of appearance originally envisaged by the Adam brothers in the eighteenth century.

The judges were led by independent outside expert Martin Hamilton (Director of Leeds Civic Trust, and at national level, of Civic Voice), the Panel of members of Hertford Civic Society reviewed the main new/re-animated buildings in Hertford since 2020.