Innovative architecture and outstanding building designs are being celebrated in the 10th New Forest National Park Building Design Awards.
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Awards which champion sustainable developments that protect and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park.
The New Forest National Park Authority is asking people to nominate their favourite building design within the New Forest National Park which has been completed in the last three years. The best residential buildings, non-residential schemes, conservation projects and ‘green buildings’ will all be recognised with individual awards.
The New Forest’s distinctive buildings and their setting in the landscape play an important role in the area’s unique character. The annual awards celebrate high-quality new developments and the contribution good design makes to the Forest.
Over the past 10 years, a restored Victorian ice house, the Peppa Pig building at Paulton’s Park, and the modern Lookout Café at Lepe Country Park are among the dozens of outstanding developments that have been recognised in the Awards – as well as many residential improvements with proportions and materials in keeping with their surroundings.
Gordon Bailey, Chair of the New Forest National Park Authority’s Planning Committee said: ‘The planning system plays a key role in protecting the New Forest for future generations, preserving its special qualities and ensuring it remains a living, working landscape.
‘High quality design is always our priority, supported by our planning policies, National Park Design Guide and individual Village Design Statements – which we prepare and update by working with local communities. The awards recognise the best designs in new development in the National Park which enhance the built environment of the New Forest.’
As the statutory planning authority for the 220 square miles of the New Forest National Park, the National Park Authority receives around 1,000 planning applications each year and typically approves more than 90% of these.
Awards nominations can be made by anyone living in or visiting the New Forest and must be for a high-standard design within the National Park boundary that has been completed in the last three years.
The NPA looks forward to receiving nominations from local residents, visitors, developers, professional agents and parish councils – and those nominating their own buildings.
Nominations are invited in the following categories:
- Best residential scheme (household extensions, new homes, conversions to residential)
- Non-residential scheme (for example employment or educational sites, public buildings, visitor attractions)
- Best conservation project (extensions to a Listed Building, restoration of a Listed Building, repair of a Building at Risk)
- Best green building (showcasing sustainable construction and materials, or retrofit projects).
Nominations are open until 31 December 2024 and the winners will be chosen in the new year by a panel of members drawn from the National Park Authority’s Planning Committee.
Submit your nomination at www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/buildingawards
