Final call for votes as deadline looms for People’s Choice Award

October 24, 2019

Nearly 1,000 votes have been cast by the public for the first Design Awards of the South Downs National Park.

To give people a chance to get their vote in, the deadline for the People’s Choice Award has been extended by five days, now closing at midnight on November 5.

Sixteen unique projects have been shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award – including a new woodland activity centre, riverside apartments, a converted hospital, a former brewery depot, and a community garden.

The Design Awards were launched earlier this year to celebrate almost a decade of innovative and inspirational projects that have made a standout contribution to the landscape, heritage, built environment and local communities of the National Park.

More than 60 nominations were received from across Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex across the three categories: Residential, Non-Residential, and Conservation. The judging panel, which includes members of the National Park’s Design Review Panel, have shortlisted 12 projects and will be deciding on a winner for each category.

The last award, The People’s Choice Award, will be decided by the public and the project receiving the most votes in the online poll will be crowned the People’s Choice winner.

People can vote at www.southdowns.gov.uk/planning/south-downs-national-park-design-award/peoples-choice-2019

A special awards ceremony will be held on November 12 at the South Downs Centre in Midhurst, West Sussex.

Tim Slaney, Director of Planning at the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “This is the first year of the Design Awards and the response has been fantastic.

“The People’s Choice is a great opportunity for the community to celebrate good design that makes a real difference to the quality of our local environments. Be sure to cast your vote before the deadline!”

The shortlisted projects are:

Alice Holt Visitor Centre, Hampshire.
Gilbert White Museum, Selborne, Hampshire.
Buckmore Studios, Petersfield, Hampshire.
Black Cat Barn, Cocking, West Sussex.
Easebourne Community Space, Easebourne, West Sussex.
The Gateway Project, Singleton, West Sussex,
Nithurst Farm, Upperton, West Sussex.
King Edward VII Estate, Easebourne, West Sussex.
Hound Lodge, Goodwood, West Sussex.
Timberyard Lane, Lewes, East Sussex.
The Depot, Lewes, East Sussex.
South Street, Lewes, East Sussex.
The Flint Barns, Rathfinny Wine Estate, East Sussex.
Ditchling Museum, Ditchling, East Sussex.
Follers Manor Gardens, Alfriston, East Sussex.
Brook House Studios, East Chiltington, East Sussex.