NORTHUMBERLAND County Council, local architects and building firms are celebrating after seven projects in the county have been shortlisted in this year’s LABC Regional Building Excellence Awards.

The prestigious awards celebrate exceptional achievements in the construction industry, focusing on outstanding craftsmanship, technical innovation, sustainability and partnership working.

The conversion of Walwick Hall in Humshaugh to a hotel and swimming pool and gym; the housing development at Orchard Gap in Hexham and a domestic extension at Medburn Grange, near Ponteland, are all on the shortlist.

Walwick Hall received nominations for best change of use of an existing building, best public service building and best small commercial project.

Orchard Gap is in the running for best small housing development and Medburn Grange is shortlisted in the best extension or alteration to an existing home category.

Kate Wilson from Hexham-based Doonan Architects, who worked on the Walwick Hall development, said: “From initial conception to completion, the project team worked proactively together and the quality of the finished project is testament to this.

“The project faced many challenges, due to its sensitive location on Hadrian’s Wall, and the building is Grade II listed.

“Walwick Hall hotel is a fantastic project, bringing a redundant historic house back into use, combining historical restoration, alterations, contemporary design and sustainability.

“The hotel has been open to the public since November and has had great feedback and reviews.”

The LABC network covers all local authorities in England and Wales and is split into 12 regions, each of which holds its own awards.

Regional winners in each category are automatically shortlisted for the LABC grand finals which are held in London.

Coun. Allan Hepple, cabinet member with responsibility for planning services, said: “These are quality building projects which involved a real partnership effort from start to finish with clients, architects, developers and local authority planners and building control officers all working together.

“It is great that their professionalism has been recognised. My congratulations to everyone involved.”